Five informal settlements in Meru get Sh243m facelift

Slums in Meru town are undergoing major infrastructural upgrade in a Sh243 million project being implemented by the government, in collaboration with the World Bank, European Union, and Agence Francaise de Development (AFD).

In the past, thousands of residents in Majengo, Mjini, and Salama accused the government of neglect as they lacked access to basic services such as water, lighting, sanitation, and access roads.

It is the same situation in Kathwana and Marimanti in the neighbouring Tharaka Nithi County, where earth roads are now tarmacked and community water and sanitation facilities have been installed.

Meru County KISIP Coordinator Mary Makena said the upgrade of roads, construction of the drainage systems, and installation of high mast floodlights have improved living standards.

"In Meru, we are having Majengo, Mjini, and Salama. The works are worth around Sh243m which cover roads upgrading, doing the drainages, street lighting, sanitation and clean water access," said Ms Makena.

She said residents identified the priority projects including the new road from Mjini that has improved access to Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital, which also connects to the Kaaga bypass.

Tharaka Nithi County Roads, Infrastructure, Land, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development Executive Julius Giti said the project has greatly impacted residents in Kathwana and Marimanti.

"We cannot overemphasize the importance of this project to us. We have identified two informal settlements, one at Kathwana and another at Marimanti. In both areas, we are upgrading earth roads to bitumen (tarmac) standards. We are also doing water supply to the settlement areas," Mr Giti said.

He noted that residents have benefitted from new ablution facilities, three high mast floodlights in Kathwana and Marimanti, and a creche for women at the former's market.
"This project is so important to the people at Kathwana and Marimanti settlements," Giti stated.

Traders in the five informal settlements now operate late because of the security lights and have access to amenities.

"Life was pathetic in the slum, and we thought the government had abandoned us. Now life has improved, and some of our children got employed in the project," said Jane Saida, a Majengo resident.