The government has been called upon to support community-based housing initiatives to curb the growth of informal settlements in urban areas.
Commonwealth Housing Mutual Help Group, a community-based organisation, said efforts by slum dwellers to improve their housing needs need to be complemented by the government.
While calling for better houses for the urban poor, the organisation's project manager Abdi Mohammed said people residing in slums should be assisted to have decent houses through a settlement scheme and re-location to a decent site.
He spoke on Saturday while handing over houses to 26 families which were resettled in Kamulu from Korogocho slums.
“One of the beneficiaries said his family getting a unit was one of the profound moments in his lifetime and that the project has helped restore his human dignity,” Mohammed said.
“He is now able to enjoy his marriage life because with the previous circumstances-living in a small and crowded room- it was next to impossible.”
Beneficiaries, most of who depend on small businesses for their livelihoods have been making contributions towards savings to build the housing units for resettlement in Kamulu.
The project is implemented by Commonwealth housing Mutual Help Group with support from Commonwealth Housing Trust.
After an extensive search for suitable sites over the years and through aggressive fundraising and support from Commonwealth Housing Trust in the United Kingdom, a two-acre site was purchased to construct the houses for the families.
The land title deed is held in the name of Commonwealth Housing Mutual Help Group as trustees of the property.
The project site is located in Kamulu, off Kangundo road in Eastland’s, Nairobi, some 15 kilometres from Korogocho slums.
President William Ruto plans to deliver 200,000 housing units annually in an endeavour that will heavily rely on counties’ backing and the private sector.
He promised to engage Parliament so that it creates a mandatory housing fund which will assist in building resources for long-term lending to developers and homeowners through mortgages.
The President also asked governors to release land for the construction of the units saying the national government will add amenities like water, sewage and roads.