Slum Upgrading Programme in Kenya
The Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme which was devised through a partnership between the Kenyan government and the UN-Habitat as a strategic plan to reduce slums in Kenya has proved more useful than expected.
Wale Peter
The government’s vision, insight and goals concerning the development and forward stewardship of the country were summarised into four development projects and fleshed into the President’s goals and agenda during his second term re-election in 2017. Kenyans are expectant in these projects and are viewed as a light at the end of the tunnel because of the benefits Kenyans and various stakeholders will enjoy upon maturity. The vision famously known as the big 4 seeks to offer universal health care, food and nutrition security, manufacturing and offering affordable housing.
Affordable housing is a forebode of how Kenya would be able to provide 500,000 houses for the public using locally generated revenue. The president has, however, managed to sail the ship despite several challenges including the blow on Kenya’s economy by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Alluding to this, we see Kenya allocating the highest ever financial budget of the year 2021-2022 with Ksh 13.9B out of Ksh 142.1B allocated for the big four agenda being for housing projects.
Slums are not the most conducive of places to reside but due to destitution and life being a hard nut to crack it leaves some people no choice. Slums allude to environmental degradation, poor drainage systems, pollutions, overcrowding, insecurity, prone to diseases and hardships. The government of Kenya has these grievances in mind and has sought various ways to reduce slums through various slum upgrading projects.
The Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme which was devised through a partnership between the Kenyan government and the UN-Habitat as a strategic plan to reduce slums in Kenya has proved more useful than expected. Kibera slum which was a combination of over-crowded shanties and shacks today has the prowess to boast of several modern high rise buildings courtesy of the Kibera-Soweto phase 1. The project has seen 822 families move into houses that have indoor plumbing, electricity and security. Phase 2 of the project is ongoing and seeks to provide 4335 housing units with various provisions and better social amenities.
A journey of a thousand miles starts with a step, the commencement of these projects has brought with it much expectations and enthusiasm as the public reaps the fruits of their patience and partnership with the government.
Edited by Skeeter Imisa
