Nyeri: Governor Mutahi Kahiga has praised the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project (KISIP) as a catalyst for transforming the livelihoods of low-income earners within Nyeri County. Kahiga stated that the World Bank-funded initiative, currently in its second phase, has significantly enhanced the landscape of various informal settlements throughout Nyeri, contributing to both economic and social growth.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Sh21 billion program is in its second phase of implementation across 23 counties. It is being carried out by the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, with Sh19.3 billion in funding from the International Development Association. The Kenyan government has contributed Sh1.93 billion to this multibillion program. The objective is to improve a total of 81 informal settlements in these counties by the end of the second phase this year.
Nyeri is one of 20 counties set to benefit from consulting services provided by the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Program II (KISIP II), aimed at developing strategies for slum upgrading and prevention. Governor Kahiga highlighted on his official Facebook page that KISIP II, funded in collaboration with the national government and the County Government of Nyeri, is a flagship program already positively impacting the county’s beneficiaries.
Kahiga, accompanied by Deputy Governor David Kinaniri, toured the KISIP II infrastructure projects in the Kiamwathi, Chorong’i, and Mweiga informal settlements. The projects are being executed in five informal settlements: Kiamwathi and Chorong’i (Ruring’u ward), Kiawara (Rware ward), Mweiga ward, and Ihwagi in Iria-ini ward. Kahiga noted that beyond infrastructure improvements, the program has provided employment opportunities for locals, who have been hired as casual workers at construction sites.
The erection of high mast lights has also enhanced security in the five settlements under the KISIP II Small Works Program. The settlements are undergoing infrastructure revitalization under KISIP II component 1.2, which includes upgrades such as tarmac roads with integrated drainage systems, street lighting, footpaths, high masts, improved sewer and water connections, and dumpsters.
Under KISIP 1, 700 title deeds were issued to residents of several areas, including Ihwagi, Miiri, Ngorano, Gikaibei, Githeri, Kiaruhiu, Mweiga, Kiamwathia, and Ndumaini. The governor also announced plans to issue title deeds to residents of Gitunduti and Ndumanu informal settlements in Magutu ward, Mathira East sub-county.
KISIP, initiated in 2011, aims to improve living conditions in informal dwellings across 15 urban centers in Kenya and to provide security of tenure to residents. It was established under the Ministry of Land, Housing, and Urban Development in the Slum Upgrading department. Among the officials accompanying Kahiga were Lands CECM Simon Gachunia, KISIP II County Project Coordinator Beatrice Koech, and Chief of Staff Paul Wambugu.
