Kakamega seeks to upgrade five slums

The Kakamega government has launched a programme to upgrade slums.

Areas targeted for the second edition of the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project are Amalemba, Kambi Somali, Mjini, Lukoye and Shibale in Kakamega and Mumias municipalities.

The programme will be implemented in partnership with the national government, the World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD).

The initiative will cost Sh269 million-Sh116 million in Kakamega municipality and Sh153 million in Mumias municipality.

While launching the programme in Amalemba on Monday, Governor Fernandes Barasa said the areas set for upgrade have high poverty levels and poor drainage.

“Kakamega and Mumias municipalities have complete spatial plans, meaning we can confidently proceed with relevant sectoral development policies including upgrading informal settlements,” he said.

Barasa said more than 350 plot owners will get property ownership documents.

“We will have 108 plot owners in Amalemba, 81 in Kambi Somali and 130 in Mjini get documents,” he said.

Barasa said they will establish a waste management system, improve infrastructure and enhance gender equity.

“Here in Amalemba, KISIP will facilitate regularisation of land tenure and my administration will carry out settlement planning, survey, preparation and issuance of land ownership documents,” he said.

Barasa said the main purpose of informal settlement upgrade is to guarantee residents a dignified living.

The governor said the County Integrated Development Plan 2023-27 identified increasing informal settlements as a major challenge to the growth of urban areas.

He said informal settlements are associated with high poverty levels, poor housing, inadequate social amenities and unregulated land tenure system. 

Lands, housing, urban areas and physical planning executive Mariam Barasa said the programme for Mjini will include roads and drainage works, solar street lighting, water extension and water connection.

Amalemba will get roads and drainage works, sewer line extension, solar street lighting and a high security mast.

 Lukoye and Kambi Somali will get road and drainage systems.

Shibale will get road and drainage works to Shibale Primary and St Joseph Secondary, water pipeline extension, four water kiosks and one security high mast.