CS Charity Ngilu to launch Sh2b slum upgrading project in Eldoret

Aerial view of Eldoret town. Slums in Eldoret town host over 200,000 residents. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

By MICHAEL WESONGA and FRED KIBOR

NAIROBI, KENYA: Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu is expected in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County today for the official launch of a Sh2 billion World Bank-funded slum upgrading programme.

The County Executive Committee member in charge of Housing and Planning Robert Ng’isirei said the project is expected to improve the living conditions of hundreds of slum residents.

Ng’isirei said the cabinet secretary will tour Munyaka, Mwenderi and Kamukunji estates, which are targeted for the upgrade.

“This project will enhance waste management system through proper layout of sewage lines in the slums,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the project will also be fundamental in enhancing security.

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STREET LIGHTS

“Mounting of street lights in Huruma is already complete, although the entire project is expected to be concluded in the next two years,” he noted.

The project is part of World Bank’s programme to uplift the  living standards of slum residents in 15 major towns in the country.

It is also in line with the county’s strategic plan to mitigate sprouting of informal settlements in the town and its neighborhoods.

A week ago, Ng’isirei suspended all land transactions and land use activities in the town until land use regulations are in place.

There has been growing concern over mushrooming of unplanned settlements in the town.

Meanwhile, hundreds of acres of public land in Elgeyo/Marakwet County have either been grabbed or irregularly transferred from the defunct local authorities to individuals and private developers.

Elgeyo/Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos said public utility plots in the county’s towns and trading centres have been grabbed.

The governor issued a one month amnesty to those who have irregularly acquired land in the area to surrender it or have it repossessed forcefully.

ILLEGAL LAND TRANSFERS

“A case in point is the 30 acres at Kamariny Stadium that have already been allocated to an individual,” said the governor.

Tolgos, who accused officials of the former local authorities of the irregular land allocations, said some of the grabbed plots have already been developed.

“Actually some of the former local authorities took advantage of the transition period to illegally transfer land, disregarding a circular issued that demanded the freeze of such transactions,” he said.

The governor said other plots that have been allegedly grabbed include a 5-acre prime plot within Iten CBD and plots owned by the Postal Corporation.

Tolgos regretted that some of the Government houses in Tambach town have also changed ownership from public to private.

“Government houses in Tambach town that were also built for civil servants have been given to individuals,” he said.

Addressing the press in Iten town yesterday, the governor said other towns in the county have also not been spared by the grabbers.

“Plots in Chesoi, Kapsowar, Chebiemit, Tot, Chepkorio, Nyaru, Kamwosor and Kimwarer trading centres have also been grabbed,” he noted.