Meru: For years, residents of informal settlements around Meru Town in Meru County lived in frustration, feeling overlooked by the government and deprived of essential services. Thousands in Majengo, Mjini, and Salama complained of discrimination, as nearby affluent areas enjoyed proper roads, clean water, street lighting, and sanitation while their communities remained neglected. Sometimes, the residents staged demonstrations, taking to the streets of Meru and storming government offices to demand equal treatment. But things are beginning to change, bringing new hope to these long-marginalized communities.

According to Kenya News Agency, a transformative Sh243 million infrastructure upgrade under the Second Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP 2) is now giving Majengo, Mjini, and Salama a much-needed facelift. The project is funded by the World Bank, the Agence Fran§aise de Development, the European Union, the International Development Association (IDA), and the Government of Kenya. Ms. Mary Makena, the Meru County KISIP Coordinator, explained that the project involves the upgrading of roads, construction of drainage systems, installation of high-mast security floodlights, sanitation improvements, and clean water access.

‘In Meru, we are working in Majengo, Mjini, and Salama. The Sh243 million project covers key infrastructure like road upgrades, drainage, street lighting, and improved access to clean water and sanitation,’ said Ms. Makena. She noted that residents helped identify the priority projects. Among them was a new road from Mjini that has significantly improved access to the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital and connected the settlement to the Kaaga bypass.

A similar transformation is happening in Tharaka Nithi County, particularly in Kathwana and Marimanti, where earth roads are being upgraded to bitumen standards and essential public amenities are being installed. Engineer Julius Giti, the County Executive for Roads, Infrastructure, Land, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development in Tharaka Nithi, highlighted the positive impact the project is already having.

‘We have identified two informal settlements-one at Kathwana and another at Marimanti. In both areas, we are upgrading earth roads, providing water supply, and constructing ablution facilities. Three high-mast floodlights have been installed at Kathwana and one at Marimanti,’ Mr. Giti said. He also emphasized that Kathwana is yet to undergo full physical planning, and KISIP will play a key role in helping the county avoid the unplanned growth that leads to slums.

‘KISIP is a game-changer for us. This project will help us plan Kathwana properly to prevent future slum development,’ he added. A notable feature of the project is the establishment of a cr¨che at Kathwana Market, aimed at supporting women in business. Mary Mbae, a resident of Kathwana, hailed the initiative, saying it has greatly improved the lives of women traders.

‘The cr¨che at the market is a game-changer for businesswomen. We can now work without worrying about our young children,’ said Ms. Mbae. She also praised the ongoing water distribution efforts, noting that residents previously walked over two kilometers to fetch water from River Maara.

Thousands of residents across the five informal settlements are now experiencing improved living conditions. Traders can operate late into the evening under the safety of new floodlights, and improved roads and sanitation have enhanced the overall quality of life.

‘Life was pathetic in the slum and we thought the government had abandoned us. Now life has improved and some of our children even got employment through the project,’ said Jane Saida, a resident of Majengo. Indeed, the face of once-forgotten communities is being reshaped-bringing dignity, opportunity, and hope to thousands.

KISIP 2, domiciled at the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, has objectives such as improving access to basic services and land tenure security of residents in participating urban informal settlements and strengthening institutional capacity for slum upgrading in Kenya. The key indicators for measuring the success of the project are: Population in the informal settlements provided with enhanced land tenure security, Population in the informal settlements provided with access to upgraded infrastructure and services (roads, storm water drainage, pedestrian walkways, water connections, sewer connections, street lights, high mast flood lights), number of beneficiaries linked to socio-economic opportunities, and a number of National and County slum upgrading and prevention policies and strategies reviewed and adopted for implementation.