Bungoma gets Sh1 billion boost from the UK for infrastructure projects

Bungoma county's ambitious drive to decongest its capital and expand critical infrastructure projects entered a penultimate phase with the arrival of Deputy British High Commissioner Julius Court with a Sh1 billion grant.

The envoy’s visit starts an exercise that will see the county sink Sh1 billion in opening up its town, upgrading the market and expanding critical infrastructure and improving social amenities to support growing urbanisation in Bungoma Municipality.

In 2019, Bungoma was among 12 Municipalities that bagged Sh1 billion grant over a three-year period from the UK under a programme dubbed Sustainable Urban Economic Development (SUED).

The grant came on the back of a winning proposal on the county’s demonstrated desire to improve its urban infrastructure as part of its plans to attract critical investments, opening up farms to markets and kick-starting high potential value chain projects.

Managed through the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), SUED is a £70 million (Sh1.04 billion) five-year programme that will support up to 12 fast growing municipalities in Kenya.

This is to plan their urbanization better, improve links with larger markets that were previously inaccessible and prepare for climate-resilient and sustainable growth.

Speaking at the event that officially kicked off the process to upgrade urban spaces in the municipality, Court said the funding is geared at not just expanding infrastructure but also making Bungoma Municipality climate smart.

As a beneficiary, Bungoma will receive expert advice in urban planning, training on urban management, investment promotions as well as cashing the Sh1 billion seed capital to fund infrastructure development and value chain projects.

From the proposal, part of the grant will go towards decongesting Bungoma town and easing movement within the Central Business District.

“Today marks the beginning of the making of Bungoma City," Governor Wycliffe Wangamati said as he received the dignitary.

"With the funding, we will build a state-of-the-art market cum Bus Park in Bungoma,” Wangamati said.

He added that the grant comes in handy to boost infrastructure and train personnel on the best practices of urban management as Bungoma thinks up ways of applying for city status.

The grant is a huge boost to Bungoma’s aggressive push for urbanisation. 

In a letter to Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works Cabinet Secretary, Wangamati had earlier requested for the delineation of boundaries of four urban centres in the County.

This includes expanding Bungoma Municipality to cover Musikoma, Kabula, Tuuti Marakaru, Bukembe West, Sang'alo West, South Bukusu and West Bukusu.

Currently, Bungoma Municipality only covers Township and Khalaba Wards.

“With our municipalities covering more wards, we shall be in position to allocate part of these grants to improve infrastructure in satellite wards and help open farms directly to markets,” he said.

The Governor committed to ensure continuous engagement with donors and other entities keen to fund urban infrastructure and livelihoods in the County.

Speaking at the event, CS Devolution Eugene Wamalwa said the project primes Bungoma as a possible city in the future after Nakuru.