By Jael Maritim
Uasin Gishu County officials gathered this morning for a significant validation workshop to discuss proposed projects under the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP) Component 2 – Social Economic Inclusion. The workshop, attended by Deputy Governor H.E. Evans Kapkea, County Secretary Mr. Philip Meli, CECM for Lands Mr. Edward Sawe, Hon. David Letting (Kipkaren Ward), and Hon. Gilbert Lagat (Kiplombe Ward), alongside representatives from Pamoja Trust, focused on the formulation of Community Development Plans (CDPs) aimed at benefiting residents of Kipkaren and Mwanzo informal settlements.
The workshop, led by Pamoja Trust’s Executive Director Mr. Samuel Olando and Board Chair Mr. Odenda Lumumba, was an essential part of validating the proposed projects designed to address key social and economic challenges faced by residents of these settlements.
Deputy Governor H.E. Evans Kapkea highlighted the positive impact of the KISIP program in Uasin Gishu and across Kenya. He noted that the ongoing improvements, including the tarmacking of roads in five settlements, have already significantly enhanced access and infrastructure. Kapkea expressed confidence that the inclusion of social-economic projects would further reduce crime, create youth employment, and improve the overall quality of life in the county’s informal settlements.
“The KISIP program has made a tremendous difference in Uasin Gishu, and I commend their continued support. Their efforts are not just about infrastructure; they are about empowering our communities and ensuring long-term economic and social growth,” said Kapkea.
Mr. Samuel Olando, Executive Director of Pamoja Trust, presented an exciting outlook for the 10-year CDPs, which are set to transform both Kipkaren and Mwanzo settlements. Key proposed projects for Mwanzo include the construction of a Social Hall and ICT Hub, waste collection points, a drainage system, and a community policing initiative to improve security. For Kipkaren, the plans include the development of a playground, a community center, capacity-building programs for agro-farming (such as poultry keeping), drilling of a community borehole, a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) support center, and waste management and recycling points.
Mr. Edward Sawe, the County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development, emphasized that the collaboration between the county government and the KISIP program had been instrumental in securing additional resources for further projects. Sawe encouraged continued prioritization of community-driven projects to address the immediate needs of residents.
“Thanks to the prudent management of funds, we have been able to expand KISIP’s impact to more settlements. Our next steps will focus on lobbying for further support to ensure these plans are successfully executed,” said Sawe.
Hon. David Letting, Member of Parliament for Kipkaren Ward, expressed his gratitude for the KISIP interventions in Kipkaren, saying that the settlement was finally on the brink of experiencing much-needed infrastructural and socio-economic changes. Letting emphasized that the community was excited about the prospects of improved infrastructure and social services that would leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
The workshop also saw Chief Officer Mr. Julius Koech provide a detailed breakdown of the proposed projects, advising stakeholders on the efficient identification and implementation of projects that would make an immediate impact. Directors Ms. Beatrice Menjo (Coordinator for KISIP Component 2), Eng. Benjamin Kirongo (Public Works), and Mr. Charles Kapkiai (Governor’s Delivery Unit) were also present to support the discussions and offer their expertise.
With the collaboration between the county government, KISIP, and local communities, the proposed projects aim to not only enhance infrastructure but also empower residents socially and economically. The continued success of the KISIP program in Uasin Gishu stands as a model for inclusive growth and community development.
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