Bungoma slum upgrades register progress

By Peter Ochieng

Members of the National Project Coordination Team (NCPT) have expressed satisfaction with the ongoing infrastructure upgrades in the Mjini and Landi Matope informal settlements, in Bungoma County.

During a site visit and audit led by the members of NCPT’s monitoring and evaluation team, the department of housing was given a thumbs up for its efforts in enhancing road networks, drainage systems, water supply, sanitation facilities, and public lighting infrastructure, within selected areas of Bungoma town’s Mjini settlement and Chwele market’s Landi Matope settlement.

The upgrades began on August 23, 2024.

In Landi Matope, according to Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka press unit, a 2.25 km road is under construction, alongside the development of 2.25 km of footpaths, drainage systems, and the installation of 22 streetlights.

On the other hand, Mjini is undergoing the construction of a 1.588 km road, 1.588 km of footpaths, 1.846 km of drainage systems, a 12.7 km water supply line, a 1.15 km sanitation system, nine streetlights, and the rehabilitation of one high mast floodlight.

Centerline Logistics Limited was awarded the contract for the two projects, valued at a total of Sh378 million.

“The initiative is funded by the World Bank in collaboration with the State Department of Housing and Urban Development, the County Government of Bungoma, and other partners,” said a statement by the press unit.

NPTC National Coordinator Blanton Gitau confirmed that the projects are advancing well despite minor challenges, such as delays in relocating electricity poles to facilitate road construction.

"From our visit, it's clear that the project is progressing smoothly, with active involvement from both the Settlement Executive Committee (SEC) and the community," Gitau said.

Members of the national team, accompanied by county officials including CECM for Lands, Urban, Physical Planning, Housing, and Municipalities Douglas Sasita, Lands Chief Officer George Kombo, and Housing, Urban and Municipalities Chief Officer Rashid Fwamba, toured the two settlements.

Sasita noted that the upgrades have spurred business growth, reduced insecurity, and created employment opportunities for local residents through various manual jobs.

"As a county, we greatly appreciate these projects. They will significantly transform the status and appearance of the targeted areas," he stated.