Principal Secretary for Housing and Urban Development Charles Hinga alongside Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o. during the launch of non-motorised transport network project Phase 3A. Faith Matete
Kisumu has launched a Sh306 million expansion of its non-motorised transport network. Faith Matete
Principal Secretary for Housing and Urban Development Charles Hinga in Kisumu. Faith Matete
Kisumu has launched a Sh306 million expansion of its non-motorised transport network with national and county leaders saying the investment will make the lakeside city safer, greener and more attractive to investors while prioritising pedestrians and cyclists over vehicles.
The project, funded under the second phase of the Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP II), will see the construction of 4.8 kilometres of pedestrian walkways, cycle lanes, drainage infrastructure and landscaped green spaces along Ondiek Highway, Nyerere Road and Gumbi Road.
It is expected to be completed by February 2027.
The groundbreaking ceremony was led by Principal Secretary for Housing and Urban Development Charles Hinga alongside Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o.
Hinga said the project builds on investments made under the first phase of KUSP, through which Kisumu received more than Sh1.74 billion for urban infrastructure projects, including non-motorised transport corridors, the Rotary Youth Innovation Centre, Kibuye Market, a fire station, sports facilities, public parks and the Nyamasaria Bus Park.
"The project will reduce conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles while providing safe spaces for recreation and exercise," Hinga said.
He said the World Bank-funded KUSP II, which runs from 2024 to 2028 with financing of US$350 million, has already disbursed Sh389.8 million in Urban Development Grants to Kisumu City and Sh21.8 million to Ahero Municipality for infrastructure development.
Hinga said the programme aims to strengthen urban governance in 79 municipalities and cities while improving delivery of resilient infrastructure and services.
The PS also officially inspected the Nyamasaria Bus Park, a Sh99.9 million facility constructed under KUSP I to help decongest Kisumu's central business district.
The bus park has 144 parking bays, including spaces for long-distance vehicles, buses, matatus and tuk-tuks, five passenger waiting sheds, 20 booking offices, two ablution blocks and controlled entry and exit points.
Kisumu County added 60 trading stalls to support small businesses.
Hinga said the facility demonstrates collaboration between the national government, Kisumu County and the World Bank in improving urban transport and creating better business environments.
Governor Nyong'o said the new transport corridor represents a continuation of Kisumu's transformation into a modern city designed around people rather than vehicles.
He noted that the first phase of the non-motorised transport programme along Jomo Kenyatta Highway had improved mobility and enhanced the city's appearance while making walking and cycling safer.
"For too long, development in many of our cities has been measured by the speed of vehicles rather than the safety of people," Nyong'o said.
"The majority of our residents walk, cycle, trade along our streets and use public transport. Development must therefore reflect the lives people actually live."
He said the project will include tree-lined corridors and improved drainage, adding that green spaces are essential for reducing urban heat, managing flooding and creating attractive public spaces that support business and improve quality of life.
Nyong'o thanked the World Bank and the State Department for Housing and Urban Development for supporting Kisumu's urban renewal agenda, saying African cities must prepare for rapid urbanisation as more than half of the continent's population is projected to live in urban areas by 2050.
The governor urged contractors to complete the works on schedule and appealed to residents to protect public infrastructure from vandalism, particularly street lighting.
He also clarified that the Mowlem-Nyamasaria Bus Stage, whose construction has been completed, is intended to complement rather than replace the existing Jomo Kenyatta Highway terminus once pending court proceedings are concluded.
"Kisumu is no longer planning just to manage urban growth. We are planning to shape it," Nyong'o said.
"Our objective is to build Africa's leading lakeside city green, resilient, inclusive, competitive and prosperous”.
