Twenty-three counties will benefit from Sh8.1 billion from the World Bank to upgrade informal settlements.
Nairobi and Nakuru counties are the largest beneficiaries, receiving Sh1.4 billion and Sh1.1 billion, respectively.
The initiative is called the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Programme (Kisip) under the state department of Housing and Urban Development.
The funds will finance street lighting, rehabilitation of feeder roads, expansion of sewerage systems and providing water for residents.
This is the second time Nakuru is benefitting from the programme. Karagita and Lake View estates in Naivasha and London and Kwa Murogi in Nakuru joined the list.
Works on the projects, the department said, are expected to start in August.
Ninety-four informal settlements will benefit.
The department said Sh9 billion had been sent aside for the programme but Sh900 million would be retained at the national level for design and supervision.
Lakeview MCA Simon Wanyoike Wanango called the programme a major boost to the ward that was home to hundreds of flower farmworkers.
He said that the funds would be used to complement the county allocation to improve water and sanitation for the increasing population.
“In Lakeview, we shall target Kayole estate in terms of improving roads and drainage,” Wanango said.
He said they were also engaging the organisers of the World Rally Championship to help upgrade several feeder roads in Naivasha.
He termed the global event as a game-changer for residents, saying employment opportunities were created with traders reaping from the event a month ago.
“We are optimistic that the ongoing talks will bear fruit so residents in the future can benefit from this global event," he said.
Hells Gate MCA Virginia Wamaitha said Karagita was one of the largest informal settlements in the country and the project would help greatly.
“We are excited by the second phase of Kisip as it will help address challenges affecting the electorate in informal settlements," she said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
