Sigh of relief as Homa Bay County launches Sh1.4 billion slum upgrade project

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga operates a machine during the launch of the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP) in Rusinga Old Town. [James Omoro, Standard]

Hundreds of Homa Bay residents who live in slums are set to benefit from Sh1.4 billion informal settlements upgrade project.

Dubbed Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP), the project funded by the World Bank in partnership with the national government and county government will be implemented in various urban centers.

The project includes tarmacking of roads, improvement of water supply, installation of solar-powered street lights, and improvement of sewer lines among other activities.

It will be implemented at Rusinga Old Town in Mbita Sub-county, A thousand Street in Oyugis town within Rachuonyo South Sub-county, Nyandiwa in Suba Sub-county as well as Sofia and Shauri Yako estates within Homa Bay Sub-county.

Governor Gladys Wanga who was accompanied by Mbita Deputy County Commissioner Peter Mutiso led government officials in launching the project.

Speaking in Rusinga Old Town, Wanga said implementation of the project will take one year in all the targeted informal settlements.

She said the project is going to improve the economic status of the area residents.

The Governor said the tarmacked roads will enhance business in the informal settlements.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga (right) during the launch of the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP) in Rusinga Old Town. [James Omoro, Standard]

"We received complaints from residents that the informal settlements get muddy and goods can hardly reach markets whenever it rains. This situation impedes their efforts in wealth creation and we are solving it through this project," Wanga said.

The project will also accord the business community the opportunity to trade for longer hours in the evening.

This follows the engagement of Nicholas Ayiro, the CEO of NAS International Group who had begun installing solar lights in Rusinga Old Town through the project.

"We are installing solar-powered street lights which provide security to residents besides enabling them to do business during darkness," Ayiro said.

Governor Wanga added that the project will improve cleanliness in informal settlements. "This will improve the health of the locals," she said.

"This project is also going to enhance the sanitation of residents. This will prevent diseases which result from filthy environment," Wanga said.

She told the residents to own the project. Mutiso urged residents to avoid vandalism of the project as it is meant for them.

"Let residents avoid vandalism of this project. It is meant to transform their lives," Mutiso said.