Mumias slum residents upbeat World Bank project will change lives

The project funded by the World Bank and the French Development Agency in collaboration with the national government will cost Sh152 million to benefit Mjini, Shibale and Lukoye informal settlements in Mumias municipality 

The project seeks to improve infrastructure; including upgrading of roads, water connectivity, drainage construction and street lighting to improve lives in the informal settlements.

Mjini Settlement Executive Committee vice chairperson Chausiku Omolo said installation of street lighting will help reduce cases of insecurity that have been rampant in the area.

“The street lighting will also increase business hours besides improving security. When they came here the first time, we thought it was just empty talk. They asked us whether we were satisfied with the state of affairs here and we told them no. We are delighted that finally the contractor is on site,” Omolo said.

She said the last mile connectivity for water to 100 homestead within the settlement will end the long treks by residents to fetch from rivers.

Mjini village elder Mariam Masanga said tarmacking of the 0.8km ring road will enhance access to the settlement compared to the current situation.

“It has been difficult to even get sick residents out of the slum to hospital during emergencies for lack of good roads. No motorbike or taxi wants to come because of the bad roads,” she said.

She said residents had challenges chasing after thieves when they stole from them because they disappeared in the dark.

“When KISIP came here they promised to give us title deeds for our plots and we are reminding them to keep their word. This will give us a sense of ownership,”  she said.

A youth, Ismail Masanga, said the project was offering jobs to youths and keeping them busy, a way from crime.

Lukoye village elder Maimuna Akida said tarmacking the road in the area will ease the work of Community Health Promoters who have been facing difficulties reaching some areas during emergencies.

She urged those constructing houses to avoid encroaching on road reserves. 

“We are ready and willing to work closely with the contractor on this project. We have grievances’ committees to resolve issues that may arise between the community and the contractor during implementation of the project,” he said.

Daniel Otiato of Shibale said construction of drainage system in the area will solve the problem of running surface water that has been a menace.

“Surface running water has been entering people’s houses during heavy rains and we are happy that this will be a thing of the past once this project is complete,” he said.

He said the five water kiosks that will be constructed under the project will address the problem of access to clean water.

Shibale SEC vice chairperson Rapher Omaranda said residents of the scheme had been forgotten by both national and county governments.

While launching the project two weeks ago, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa said the three informal settlements in Mumias are associated with high poverty levels; poor housing; inadequate social amenities and infrastructure and unregulated and tenure system.

KISIP is also implementing slum upgrade programme in Amalemba and Kambi Somali in Kakamega Municipality.

Barasa said 108 plot owners will get plot ownership documents in Amalemba, 81 in Kambi Somali and 130 in Mjini settlement under the programmed.

KISIP 2 is a key Vision 2030 enabler project anchored in the government’s agenda of enabling residents in participating informal settlements within selected counties to benefit. This is by having access to basic infrastructure services and land tenure security as well as strengthen institutional capacity for slum upgrading in Kenya. 

The project further supports socio-economic inclusion that involves linking communities to already existing World Bank, national and county governments and other development partners safety nets programmes for socio-economic opportunities especially the vulnerable groups like the youth, old people, people living with disabilities.  

Counties benefiting in the project include Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Taita Taveta, Wajir, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Kirinyaga and Kiambu.

Others are Turkana, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Baringo, Nakuru, Kajiado, Kakamega, Bungoma, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Nyamira and Nairobi.