Kilifi county government has partnered with the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project in a significant development initiative to transform slums.
Sh1.1 billion will be spent on upgrading roads, street lighting and drainage systems.
The project is intended to improve access, sanitation and overall living conditions within slums in Kilifi town, Muyeye in Malindi and Sabaki in Magarini.
The project, already underway, consists of various initiatives across county.
In Kilifi North, Sh518 million has been allocated for the construction and improvement of roads to provide better access and mobility for the residents.
Muyeye slum in Malindi Subcounty will benefit from Sh382 million dedicated to road construction and Sh64 million for development of sanitation facilities, including public toilets.
For Sabaki’s informal settlement in Magarini, Sh450 million has been earmarked to enhance road infrastructure.
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro expressed gratitude for the collaboration with KISIP.
“In Kilifi, we’ve started road projects worth Sh518 million and today, with the support of KISIP, we’ve launched a Sh383 million project in Muyeye, Malindi Subcounty,” the governor said.
“Similarly, we’ve started a Sh283 million development in Kibokoni, Magarini Subcounty, which includes roads, street lighting and drainage systems.”
The comprehensive approach will not only boost infrastructure but also enhance safety and sanitation in the targeted areas.
Mung’aro said the project’s scope will cover additional enhancements such as issuance of title deeds to residents, installation of street lighting, and development of effective drainage systems.
Through these infrastructure upgrades, Kilifi County aims to foster a more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable environment for residents.
They will enjoy improved mobility, enhanced sanitation, and greater security through the installation of streetlights and better drainage.
Accompanying the governor at the launch were Kilifi Woman Rep Gertrude Mbeyu, Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi, Magarini MP Harry Kombe, KISP representatives KISP and several MCAs.
Malindi MP Mnyazi echoed the governor’s call for cooperation, urging residents to engage with county and KISIP officials to facilitate smooth project rollout.
She encouraged residents who were yet to collect their title deeds to do so to formalise their land ownership, which is a critical step in ensuring tenure security for residents.
“Let’s cooperate with the county and KISP staff so that these projects can be completed on time. Let no one think there will be land compensation in such projects,” she said.
KISIP is a government project that was started in 2011 to improve the living conditions in informal settlements in 15 urban centres in Kenya and provide security of tenure to residents of those settlements.
The project was instituted under the Ministry of Land, Housing, and Urban Development in the Slum Upgrading department.
Meanwhile, about 400,000 Nairobi residents living in informal settlements are set to benefit from the second phase of KISIP.
The Sh578 million project funded by the World Bank will be implemented in Embakasi East, Mathare, and Roysambu subcounties.
The targeted slums are Kayole
Soweto, Kambi Moto, Embakasi
Village, and Kahawa Soweto.
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