Hope for better living as Sh578m World Bank project rolls out in city slums

In the maze of narrow alleys and makeshift homes that define many of Nairobi’s informal settlements, signs of long-awaited change will soon start to emerge, thanks to a World Bank-funded slum upgrading initiative.

New public washrooms, digital learning centres, water purification systems and improved drainage are being introduced into some of the city’s most underserved communities—marking a new chapter in the effort to improve urban living conditions.

 These developments are part of the second phase of the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project II (KISIP II), a Sh578 million initiative financed by the World Bank and implemented through collaboration between the national government, Nairobi City County, and various development partners.

Targeting settlements such as Kayole Soweto, Kahawa Soweto, Embakasi Village, Kambi Moto, Spring Valley Kayole and Mathare, the project aims to address the basic infrastructure gaps that have long shaped life in Nairobi’s informal urban areas.

 In total, the project is expected to benefit at least 400,000 people in Nairobi alone.

 What makes KISIP II stand out is its comprehensive and people-centred approach. The project is not merely laying pipes or pouring concrete; it is focusing on livability, dignity and opportunity.

 This includes the construction of community halls, study centres and computer labs that offer digital access and training—particularly for young people and students.

 At the heart of the Nairobi component is the Urban Fabric Initiative (UFI), a programme managed by the Housing and Urban Renewal Department of the Nairobi City County Government. UFI is designed to convert previously neglected urban spaces into clean, inclusive and productive environments.

 According to Chief officer Lydia Mathia, this is more than infrastructure—it's about long-term transformation.

 “The Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project plays a pivotal role in the Urban Fabric Initiative by systematically addressing foundational challenges in these communities,” Mathia said.

 “Through improved infrastructure, secure land tenure and community-led development, we are turning marginalised areas into vibrant, dignified neighbourhoods.”

 For Nairobi, the work is concentrated in key subcounties such as Embakasi East, Mathare and Roysambu, where high population density and limited infrastructure have historically limited access to clean water, safe sanitation, education and employment.

 Residents in areas like Kayole Soweto have already begun to see the benefits.

 Newly constructed sanitation blocks are easing the burden of accessing clean water and toilets, especially for women and children. Public halls and learning centres are becoming safe spaces for community meetings, schoolwork and skills development. Meanwhile, small businesses are finding new footing with the improved access and lighting in public areas.

 Governor Johnson Sakaja says the project is timely, highlighting its wider social and economic significance. “These projects are more than structures. They are incubators for informal businesses and platforms for economic empowerment,” he said.

 “By freeing up time for women and creating space for youth mentorship and digital access, we are building futures right where people live.”

 The initiative is supported by a coalition of partners including the European Union, Agence Française de Développement, Kounkuey Design Initiative and Slum Dwellers International, ensuring a mix of technical, financial and community-level expertise.

 KISIP II is unfolding in two phases—Phase I covering 25 settlements across five counties, and Phase II reaching 56 settlements in 20 counties. Together, these phases form part of a larger national vision to promote sustainable urban growth and social equity.

 As the upgrades progresses, collaboration remains central to the project's success. Community engagement, local leadership and transparency are being emphasised to ensure the improvements are not only effective but sustainable.

 For the residents of Nairobi’s informal settlements, the changes underway are not abstract policy promises—they are real, visible signs of inclusion and investment in their future.

 Instant Analysis

 KISIP II is shifting the narrative around informal settlements by combining infrastructure upgrades with community empowerment. It's a model of urban development that puts people, not just projects, at the centre.