By KISIP2 Reporter
The Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project phase 2 (KISIP 2) National Project Coordination Team (NCPT) has expressed satisfaction with the ongoing infrastructure upgrades in Mjini and Landi Matope informal settlements in Bungoma County.
During a site visit and audit led by the NCPT’s monitoring and evaluation team, the department of housing was praised for its efforts in enhancing the road networks, drainage systems, water supply, sanitation facilities, and public lighting infrastructure within the selected areas of Bungoma town’s Mjini settlement and Chwele market’s Landi Matope settlement.
The upgrades, which began on August 23, include extensive earthworks. In Landi Matope, a 2.25 km road is under construction, alongside the development of 2.25 km of footpaths, drainage systems, and the installation of 22 streetlights. Meanwhile, Mjini is undergoing the construction of a 1.588 km road, 1.588 km of footpaths, 1.846 km of drainage systems, a 12.7 km water supply line, a 1.15 km sanitation system, nine streetlights, and the rehabilitation of one high mast floodlight.
Centreline Logistics Ltd. was awarded the contract for the two projects, valued at KSh 378 million. The initiative is funded by the World Bank in collaboration with the State Department of Housing and Urban Development, the County Government of Bungoma, and other partners.
The national team, accompanied by county officials including CECM for Lands, Urban, Physical Planning, Housing, and Municipalities Douglas Sasita, Lands Chief Officer George Kombo, and Housing, Urban and Municipalities Chief Officer Rashid Fwamba, toured the two settlements. Arch. Sasita noted that the upgrades have spurred business growth, reduced insecurity, and created employment opportunities for local residents through various manual jobs.
“As a county, we greatly appreciate these projects. They will significantly transform the status and appearance of the targeted areas,” Sasita remarked, crediting the progress to the strong collaboration between national and county teams, consultants, and community representatives.
NPTC National Coordinator Blanton Gitau confirmed that the projects are advancing well despite minor challenges, such as delays in relocating electricity poles to facilitate road construction.
“From our visit, it’s clear that the project is progressing smoothly, with active involvement from both the Settlement Executive Committee (SEC) and the community,” Gitau said.
Mjini settlement has been in existence since 1965.
