Slum upgrading and prevention strategy

Slum upgrading and prevention strategy will systematically improve, empower lives, states KISIP team during a meeting to review key document

Nairobi, Monday, July 10, 2023
The National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy currently being developed by State Department for Housing and Urban Development and spearheaded by the Second Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP2) is poised to be a game-changer in addressing the challenge of slums and informal settlements in Kenya.
The strategy aims at operationalizing the slum upgrading and prevention policy (Sessional Paper No.2 of 2016) with the intent of improving quality of life for residents in Kenya’s slums.

Speaking Monday, July 10, 2023 during a meeting to review the Final Draft National Slum Upgrading and prevention strategy, the Director, Slum Upgrading Department Mary Ndun’gu stated that the document, once implemented by ministry, will address critical issues affecting residents in the informal settlements.
The strategy provides a comprehensive framework for land use and development planning, provide appropriate security of tenure and improved infrastructure, social amenities and facilitating provision of adequate social housing

It also aims at mainstreaming climate change and environmental stewardship, promote participatory and collaborative approaches and practices, sustainable livelihoods for persons living in slums and establishing an effective multi-stakeholder institutional framework for slum upgrading and prevention.
“At KISIP2, we want to ensure equity by giving residents in these settlements some sense of dignity. We are looking at the future and the State is keen in seeing this strategy implemented,” said Ms Ndun’gu, who also heads Component 3 of KISIP2.
The component is charged with development of institutional capacity for slum upgrading and prevention, among others.

The strategy which will be implemented in a ten-year period, also looks at issues on equity and inclusivity, transparency and accountability, devolution, public participation and partnerships. A special fund – (National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Trustees Fund) will also be established under the State Department for Housing and Urban Development with trustees whose mandate will be to mobilize and manage resources from diverse sources.

The meeting was attended by Assistant Directors; Cornel Akach and Gabriel Muli, staff drawn from SUD, and Component 3 and a team of consultants.
The Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project 2 (KISIP2) is a Government of Kenya (GOK) and Donor Funded project geared towards enabling residents of informal settlements within selected counties benefit by having access to improved basic infrastructure services. KISIP2 is currently supporting an estimated 33 counties.

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