Governor Kidero launches Sh500 million strategic plan for Kibera residents

Nairobi county government has launched a Sh500 million strategic plan for Sarang'ombe residents in Kibera's informal settlement to boost living standards in the region.

The plan which was developed with technical support from I Choose Life - Africa (ICL), Nairobi Chapel and Centre for Economic Governance (CEG) focuses on six sectors including, access to water and sanitation, education, finance, livelihoods, technology and health.

The city is banking on similar initiatives including national government's National Youth Service (NYS) to eradicate water borne diseases and improve quality of lives in the county's slums.

Governor Evans Kidero said the four year plan is a milestone in eliminating human suffering in the region and challenged locals to take advantage of the initiative to improve their lives.

"In the component of water, we will digitize its water services to lower cost of the commodity and improve efficiency in service delivery to the residents," he said.

The settlement is currently grappling myriad of challenges with increased water charges with 20 litres of the commodity selling at Sh20.

The county is banking on introduction of electronic card with hope of substantially reducing commodity's prices to 50 cents per 20 litres.

Dr Kidero noted that objectives of the devolved systems of government cannot be achieved without putting in place legislative framework, programmes and other plans that can propel development.

The project which was launched on Thursday in Sarang'ombe Ward will see the establishment of 10 water tanks with the necessary piping to reach five villages within the Ward.

"For every water tank erected under the plan, the county will bring an additional tank," Mr Kidero said, in a statement.

Speaking to The Standard on Sunday by email the Chief Executive Officer of ICL Mike Mutungi said that the three year project will also involve development of 20 community service centres in all the villages in the Ward.

"The project will be implemented in three years with each year having its key flagship project," he said.

He added: "The initiative will eventually contribute to the 10 per cent growth in the economy."
In education, the strategy will address issues of enrolment, transition, retention and enhancing quality of education.

The Executive Director of Centre for Economic Governance Rose Wanjiru said the plan will inform the county on what issues required in the region, adding that the concept should be emulated elsewhere to improve living conditions.

Ms Wanjiru noted that there is growing need to establish platforms through which ordinary citizens can engage in governance.