Four informal settlement units – Soweto, Napetet, Nabito, and Ngikatiko in Lodwar Municipal, are poised to benefit from the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Plan (KISIP).
This is a significant stride towards urban development, a milestone that follows a collaborative meeting between the National State Department of Housing and the County Government of Turkana.
Collaborative effort
The KISIP programme is a joint effort between the Government of Kenya and esteemed Development Partners, including the World Bank, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and the Agence Française de Development (AFD).
Initiated in 2011, this partnership has been instrumental in designing a comprehensive plan to address the unique challenges faced by informal settlements.
KISIP operates in conjunction with the national Kenya Slum Upgrading Program, which was established in 2003 under the auspices of the State Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Improving Land Tenure
Its primary objective is to bolster the State Department of Lands’ initiatives in introducing structured planning and reinforcing land tenure security in unplanned and impoverished urban communities.
It works in line with the tenets of the National Land Policy while ensuring that challenges facing informal settlements are adequately addressed.
During the joint meeting, Benjamin Tukei, the Municipality Manager of Lodwar, unveiled an ambitious plan to elevate the town’s status.
Improving living standards
Central to this vision is the construction of new infrastructure tailored to meet the contemporary needs of the town.
Tukei emphasized that this plan also encompasses the provision of essential social amenities, crucial for enhancing the overall quality of life for residents.
President William Ruto affirmed that the government is steadfast in its mission to cultivate a new generation of homeowners.
He outlined the ambitious goal of constructing 250,000 houses annually, catering specifically to low-income earners through Affordable Housing Program
The President underscored his administration’s unwavering commitment to creating robust employment opportunities for the youth entering the job market.
Uplifting informal settlements
He emphasized the need for deliberate allocation of resources to empower the young workforce, thereby securing the nation’s future prosperity.
“For the first time, we have an intentional, coherent, credible plan for making sure that we organize our economy in such a manner that it is going to create jobs for our young people,” President Ruto affirmed.
He also highlighted the government’s resolute dedication to nurturing a thriving economy that benefits all segments of society.
The expansion of KISIP to Lodwar Municipal represents a pivotal step towards inclusive urban development, which is a step towards the government’s dedication to uplift informal settlements and bolster the nation’s economic foundations for future generations.
Meza Mwanza 
Treeza Auma 
KTMN Reporter