Muhoroni settlement scheme residents to benefit from Urban infrastructures

Two key areas in Muhoroni town in Kisumu are set for a major infrastructural transformation as the county government, in collaboration with UN-Habitat, implements the planning of the place.

The new plan envisions the construction of Early Childhood Development centres (ECD), a Social hall, and a recreational park.

The projects that are being done by UN-Habitat in partnership with Kisumu county government are expected to be constructed within 10 months and have already kicked.

Speaking during donations of solar lumps to 300 households living in Shauri Yako and Shauri Moyo areas, Jeremiah Ouko, who is UN-Habitat National program officer, said that, environmental assessment will be done next week before the construction of these three infrastructure projects kicks off officially.

READ ALSO: Court awards Kibigori IDPs Sh55 million for land rights violation

"We are supporting the county government in three areas here in Muhoroni settlement. They include planning the entire Muhoroni township, identifying households that will benefit from housing improvements, and also providing infrastructure through the construction of  ECD centres, a recreational centre, and a social hall," said Ouko.

He said they are currently finalizing designs for ECD centres, a social community hall, and a recreational park.

"Next week, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) consultant will be on the ground to ensure that all these projects are in line with sustainable construction practices and can mitigate the negative effects on the environment," he added.

Kisumu County Chief of Staff Aloyce Ager said the project is being implemented in the settlements of Muhoroni and also in Kisumu town.

Mr Ager said Kisumu is only a beneficiary of the pilot project before it is cascaded to other counties.

"One of the agendas of this project is supporting infrastructure in the housing sector through lighting. We noticed that the energy sector for deprived households has not been properly addressed, so this project, which is part of the social responsibility of UN-Habitat, has seen our people benefit from solar lamps," he said.

Mr Ager said the solar lamps distributed to the 300 households come with solar panels, four lamps, and power banks.

In 2024, the Muhoroni settlement scheme was among the informal settlements that were earmarked for a major facelift after the county government received Sh1.3 billion grants from the World Bank and French Development Agency.

The funds were channeled through the second phase of Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP2) to improve the road network in the areas, last mile connectivity to the sewerage system, installation of high mast flood lights, and enhance access to clean piped water.

[email protected]