State rolls out slum upgrading in Turkana

The government faces legal battles on affordable housing levies. [iStockphoto]

The National and County governments in partnership with development agencies have approved plans for the upgrade of slums in Turkana County.

The upgrade is part of an initiative by the state to improve the living conditions of the pastoralist communities in remote and informal areas.

Detailed site maps for six locations planned for slum upgrade under the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Program II (KISIP) have been completed.

This comes at a time when the government faces legal battles on affordable housing levies.

Under the support of the World Bank through KISIP II program implementation consultants, the maps provide comprehensive details including plot layouts, road networks, passageways, and sanitation facilities.

The county government has also rolled out public engagement campaigns targeting areas where residents of the designated slum upgrade are living.

The county officials have started raising awareness programmes to enlighten them on the significance of slum upgrade projects.

The Chief Officer for Urban Areas Management, Marian Nakaale said the slum upgrade program will uplift the livelihoods of the local residents.

Nakaale urged the community to participate fully during public engagement forums, saying clear maps have been drawn to show various utilities.

The engagement process has commenced in Nginokakim, Turkana South sub-county, with similar meetings planned for Nabute, Ngitakito, Napetet, and Soweto in Turkana Central, as well as Lopiding in Lokichoggio sub-county.

“The programme aims at securing land tenure for beneficiaries and the improvement of the landscape of Lodwar Municipality areas through upgrades in Nabute, Napetet, Soweto, and Ngitakito,” Nakaale said.

The official said the programme is further expected to catalyse trade value chains and urbanisation.

However, residents have warned that the slum upgrade program should not interfere with their animals grazing land.