By Titus Oteba -Communication Officer
Plans are complete for the implementation of the second Kenya Informal Settlement Integrated Project (KISIP2) in Bungoma County after the Project Affected Persons (PAPs) agreed to move voluntarily to pave way for the project
Speaking separately during the meeting with KISIP2 Settlement Executive Committee (SEC) members for Mjini in Bungoma town and Land Matope slums in Chwele town to address ARAP/PAPs, the County Project Coordination Team (CPCT) led by the Project Coordinator Plan. Wellington Sindani lauded SEC members for their dedication and the public especially the PAPs for their cooperation.
SEC members in Mjini Slum
He emphasized that the ambitious project aims to enhance living conditions in the respective informal settlements by upgrading roads, repairing sewer lines, installing security lights and ensuring access to clean water.
“We appreciate the SEC members for their cooperation, we expect the project to kick off very soon, we will be constructing roads, storm water drainage ,Sewer line and provision of clean water in Mjini in Bungoma town while construction of roads, storm water and street lights in landi matope in Chwele town to help residents access better amenities,” he said.
KISIP2 Bungoma County Coordinator Wellington Sindani
Eighteen PAPs were raised in Mjini while two were identified in Land Matope but they have since been resolved giving the projects a green light to be implemented.
SEC members in both meeting proposed that the contractor who who has been awarded the tender should give priority to locals.
“That this projects should help youths from the identified informal settlement areas to access jobs during its implementation, no need to employ outsiders when the workforce can be contacted from within the community,” they said.
KISIP 2 projects are co-financed by the World Bank, the Agence Française de Development (AFD), and the County Government of Bungoma, in collaboration with the State Department of Housing and Urban Development to a tune of Sh 410 million
Sh30 million has been allocated for high flood lights under small works (RFQs) while Sh380 million will go towards upgrading the drainage,road network,storm water drainage, Street lights in the targeted informal settlement schemes.
CPCT team met with Musikoma ward admin Festus Juma, Chairman Saidi, Musikoma location Chief Alice Masinde among others while in Chwele, they met SEC team led by Ward Administrator Jane Kusienya, Chairman Bonface Wanambisi.
Some of the CPCT members present were
Christine Simiyu (Social and Safeguard), Bridgid Wabomba (Procurement), Sophy Chebon (Environment), William Mukhwana (Finance?, Andrew Keya (Physical Planning) and Titus Oteba (Communication Focal point person).
