Wajir: Improved roads, drainage systems, and solar-powered street lighting under the Second Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP II) are enhancing access to education and healthcare services in Wajir Municipality’s informal settlements.
According to Kenya News Agency, the infrastructure investments have improved connectivity to schools and health facilities in Shalatey, Hodhan, Halane, Wagberi, Jogoo, and Borwaqo settlements, reducing challenges previously caused by sandy and impassable roads, flooding, and inadequate lighting. Implemented by the State Department for Housing and Urban Development under the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, KISIP II is supported by the World Bank, Agence Fran§aise de D©veloppement (AFD), the European Union, and the County Government of Wajir.
The project has delivered more than 8.4 kilometers of roads, nearly 10 kilometers of drainage channels, more than 400 solar-powered streetlights, and several high-mast flashlights across the targeted settlements. Wajir County Project Manager Engineer Dan Owore said the improved infrastructure had strengthened access to essential public services, including schools and health facilities.
At Wajir Excel Academy in Halane Settlement, the improved road network has addressed challenges that previously affected learning. School manager Ismail Abdikadir said the road outside the institution was previously covered with loose soil and generated considerable dust whenever vehicles passed. Abdikadir said the upgraded road had improved the learning environment while reducing transport-related costs for the school.
The improved road network has also made it easier for learners and teachers to access schools during different weather conditions. Previously, sections of the settlements became difficult to navigate during rainy periods, affecting movement and sometimes disrupting access to educational institutions.
At Borwaqo Girls Primary and Junior School, solar-powered flashlights have provided an additional benefit by improving visibility within the school compound, particularly in the boarding section. Head teacher Abdirashid Aden Mohamed said the lighting had enabled boarders to undertake evening activities despite frequent power interruptions.
The project has similarly improved access to healthcare, particularly for residents who previously faced difficulties reaching health facilities because of poor roads and insecurity at night. At Hodhan Dispensary, health workers say improved road access and street lighting have made it easier for patients to seek medical attention, including during emergencies.
Improved accessibility has also reduced the difficulties faced by health workers conducting community outreach programs. Wajir County KISIP Coordinator Mohamed Adow Abdi said improving access to social services was one of the key objectives of the infrastructure investment.
Project Engineer Blantom Gitau said the infrastructure had been designed to respond to the specific challenges experienced by communities in Wajir. Gitau said the project had incorporated vertical drainage systems to address flooding while allowing water to percolate into the ground and replenish shallow groundwater.
Community participation also played an important role in determining the infrastructure priorities. Gitau said residents identified roads, drainage, and street lighting among their most urgent needs during consultations conducted before implementation.
Assistant Resident Engineer Emmanuel Mosioka said the project was completed within 18 months at a contract sum of approximately Sh672 million. The project has also created a safer environment for children and other vulnerable groups moving within the settlements.
Shalatey Settlement Chairperson Mohamed Hussein said the improved infrastructure had changed access to public services in the settlement. Shalatey Settlement Chairlady Isnina Nur said improved lighting had particularly benefited women and children.
In Hodhan Settlement, Chairperson Mohamed Abdulle Unshur said improved infrastructure had strengthened access to essential services while contributing to wider community development. The project’s impact on education and healthcare forms part of the broader objectives of KISIP II to improve living conditions and access to basic services in informal settlements.
As land verification progresses in seven settlements, residents are expected to receive title documents, providing greater security of tenure and supporting future investment in homes and community facilities. According to Adow, maintaining the infrastructure will be critical to sustaining the gains made through the project.
For Wajir residents, the improvement of roads, drainage, and public lighting has therefore extended beyond physical changes to the settlements, making schools more accessible, improving movement to health facilities, and creating safer conditions for the delivery of essential services. The experience demonstrates the role of integrated infrastructure development in improving access to social services in informal settlements, while supporting the Government’s broader efforts to promote inclusive and sustainable urban development.
