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UN-HABITAT Executive Director Dr. Joan Clos and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Housing Mr. Tirop Kosgey during their visit to Kibera slum.© Julius Mwelu
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The Government of Kenya on Wednesday affirmed its commitment to the second phase of the improvement of Nairobi’s Kibera slums, a project undertaken jointly with UN-HABITAT.
Housing Minister Soita Shitanda disclosed that the government had, under the Kenya Slum Upgrading Project (KENSUP), already floated tenders for the redevelopment of Soweto East within the Kibera slums. “There have been slight delays but I can confirm that the government is fully committed to this project and that by May this year the construction work will begin,” he said.
Shitanda spoke during his tour of the project site in the company of UN-HABITAT Executive Director Joan Clos. The redevelopment is intended to benefit the slum residents who are currently being housed in a decanting site. They will thereafter move into the new houses.
“This time we are going all out and we are envisaging building some 1,500 housing units, schools, playgrounds, markets and artisans’ sheds,” the minister said.
Mr. Clos who was accompanied by the director of UN-HABITAT’s Regional Office for Arab and African States Mr. Alioune Badiane said the positive response from the minister was encouraging.
“Scaling up of the project is essential. Priority areas should include opening up the streets for easier access, better street lighting and water and sanitation,” said Joan Clos.
The tender advertisement carried in local newspapers early in the week calls for bids for main contract works, electrical installation works as well as plumbing, drainage and other mechanical works. |
