By Mangoa Mosota
Ranked Kenyaâs third largest town and most strategically located near the waters of lake Victoria, Kisumu is still unable to house professionals as well as civil servants posted to work there.
Speaking during the official opening of the three-day second Kisumu Homes Expo, Kisumu East DC Mabeya Mogaka said towns such as Kakamega and Kisii were experiencing robust activity in real estate unlike Kisumu, a town with a higher population of more than 300,000 residents.
"At the moment, more than 100 civil servants cannot find a house to rent or government houses. It takes them several months to find a house to rent. This succinctly captures the housing problems in the lakeside town," says Mabeya.
"There are 137 civil servants of different cadres who are yet to secure housing in this town," he said, adding that the situation would get worse if no efforts are made to address the sorry situation. The area is experiencing myriad challenges that make development in real estate complicated.
Poor planning, exorbitant rent charged by property owners, lack of knowledge on the potential of investment in property and low quality standard buildings are factors that have worked to make provision of modern yet sufficient housing a nightmare.
Some of the houses in Mamboleo estate in Kisumu. [PHOTO: TITUS MUNALA/STANDARD]
Basic infrastructure is lacking even in areas that have great potential for decent housing. Critical infrastructure such as proper sewerage system is almost non-existence in major parts of this lakeside town this being the reason why most of the townâs affluent finds its way to the lake.
For instance, in Riat, an area situated just a kilometre from the town centre, along the Kisumu-Kakamega road, piped water still remains a mirage and roads are in deplorable state. Almost half of the residential buildings here are built on sewer lines, making it difficult for the Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company to manage the sewage system efficiently.
Post-election skirmishes
Buildings are haphazardly being set up resulting in informal settlements, even with a Town Plan developed more than 20 years ago accumulating dust on the shelves. Like many other government plans, its yet to be implemented. The growing number of gleeful hawkers who are, however, out to eke an honest living but have stormed areas that formal trading is assigned has exacerbated the town chaotic state." These informal sellers now hawk their merchandise at the doorstep of formal trading shops such as those located along Oginga Odinga Street," Mogaka further noted.
The 2007 post-election violence dealt a huge blow to the townâs property development, as many investors who relocated after the skirmishes are yet to return. The phenomenon has largely contributed to the high rent for both commercial and rental property.
