Kiambu county is set to receive a lion’s share of Sh1.6 billion out of Sh6.7 billion under the World Bank Infrastructural Development Program.
The funding is expected to improve urban infrastructure across the seven — Thika, Juja, Limuru, Karuri, Kikuyu, Ruiru and Kiambu municipality — under the Kenya Urban Support Program II.
KUSP II is a national government initiative implemented through the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, with financing support from the World Bank.
The program operates in 59 municipalities across 35 counties and links funding to annual performance evaluations to strengthen urban governance and accountability.
Kiambu county has stepped up preparations for the upcoming KUSP II Annual Performance Assessment (APA 2) following a courtesy call by a high-level delegation to Chief Officer Martin Kang’iri.
The team from the State Department of Housing and Urban Development, led by National Director and KUSP II Coordinator Lilian Kieni, included Nick Mbwika from the Council of Governors.
They held a comprehensive preparatory meeting with county officials to ensure full compliance with APA 2 requirements.
During the session, officials guided the Municipal Administration and Urban Development team through the APA 2 scorecard, outlining key performance indicators and compliance benchmarks that will determine the county’s eligibility for program funding.
“KUSP II links funding to accountability, sound financial management and sustainable urban planning to strengthen municipalities across the country,” Kieni said.
The funding is expected to support road upgrades, development of non-motorized transport systems, construction of modern bus parks and parking facilities, and the installation of solar street lighting.
These conditional grants are intended to support urban infrastructure projects, including road works, drainage improvements, and solar street lighting, among other municipal service upgrades.
Municipal eligibility and future disbursements are conditioned on performance based on the Annual Performance Assessment.
The program also targets the establishment of green parks and recreational spaces, improved stormwater drainage, enhanced waste management systems, and strengthened fire and disaster management infrastructure.
