Kakamega informal settlements benefit from a KSh 268 million infrastructure upgrade

Kakamega Informal Settlements Get Sh268 Million Upgrade Under KISIP 2
Five informal settlements in Kakamega County are undergoing a major infrastructure transformation under the Second Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP 2), a government-led initiative valued at Sh268 million. The project is being jointly carried out by the national government and the Kakamega County Government, with financial backing from the World Bank, the French Development Agency (AFD), and a grant from the European Union (EU). The upgrades aim to improve road access, drainage, street lighting, and sanitation facilities in settlements long affected by congestion and inadequate services.
Under Lot 2 of the works, Amalemba and Kambi Somali settlements in Kakamega Municipality are receiving extensive improvements worth Sh116 million. In Amalemba, the project includes upgrading nearly one kilometre of Amina Salim Street and Abdi Mwewa Street to bitumen standards, construction of 1.696 kilometres of drainage, installation of almost one kilometre of sewer lines, and the addition of a high-mast floodlight alongside 25 streetlights. Kambi Somali is also benefitting from upgraded access roads, expanded drainage, and more than 0.7 kilometres of new sewer line. Meanwhile, in Mumias Municipality, Mjini, Lukoye and Shibale settlements are being upgraded under Lot 1 at a cost of Sh152 million. Mjini will see the paving of Masanga Road and its feeder road, installation of drainage channels, new streetlights, and piped water connections reaching at least 100 households.
Residents and local leaders have welcomed the project, saying the improvements will not only enhance living conditions but also stimulate economic activity by improving mobility and safety. Better-lit streets are expected to reduce insecurity, while improved drainage and sewer systems will reduce flooding and health risks during the rainy season. County officials say the upgrades mark a significant step toward urban renewal in Kakamega, noting that long-standing service gaps in informal settlements have hindered development for decades. Moving forward, the county expects the improved infrastructure to attract additional investment and set the stage for future phases of KISIP, with continued support from development partners.