• Kibokoni residents chairman Thomas Kahindi said parcels of land previously sold for between Sh15,000 and 25,000 is now valued at more than Sh4 million.
• Under the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project, a five-kilometre road, drainage systems, high mast security floodlights, water projects have been completed.
The upgrade of roads, drainage and installation of street lighting in Malindi and Magarini has caused a spike in land prices in the area.
Kibokoni residents chairman Thomas Kahindi said parcels of land previously sold for between Sh15,000 and 25,000 is now valued at more than Sh4 million.
“Before the projects began it was difficult to access Kibokoni at night for safety reasons. Now one doesn't require transport,” he said.
The national government with funding from the World Bank has implemented projects worth nearly Sh500 million to upgrade informal areas.
Under the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project, a five-kilometre road, drainage systems, high mast security floodlights, water projects have been completed.
Authorities said since the project started in June 2011, they have been able to upgrade over 100km of roads, completed 105km drainage systems, installed 134 high-mast security floodlights and 21 ablution blocks.
In addition, the project has constructed water supply systems and trunk sewerage in eight urban centres.
At the same time, four biogas digesters have been completed and handed over to the county administrations for operation. Other donors in the project are the AFD and Sida .
In Malindi, the project identified Maweni and Muyeye area where they set up the road infrastructure, drainage, and high mast floodlight.
The areas were rife in insecurity and drug use but currently, locals have a reason to smile as the area is accessible even at night.
Kilifi county engineer Nichodemus Kerongo said the KISP projects have transformed the region. Thirteen projects were done, a majority of which are complete.
Kerongo spoke in Kibokoni during a tour of the project.
“On behalf of the locals, we are happy with these projects. They used to suffer because of insecurity and bad roads but now they can walk freely without fear,” he said.
Locals said the Kibokoni area used to be inaccessible due to lack of roads but more people are investing there because of the tarmacked roads.
Kadzo Furaha said the projects have enabled traders to work even at night.
Getting transport from Malindi town to their homes was difficult as tuk-tuks or Boda Boda used to fear for their safety, she said.
“Currently, even past midnight one can easily walk home without any fear because the entire area is lit up. The population is increasing each day,” she said.
Sheban Bakari a resident of Kwa Ndomo said that the living standards of people have greatly improved.
The residents, however, want the governor to provide loans for business and other investments to stave off competition from non-locals.