Turkana residents are set to benefit from a new slum upgrade project aimed at improving existing informal settlements and minimize sprouting of shanties urban centres.
Geo Dev Survey Company has been contracted to develop the strategy under the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project (KISIP).
Speaking during the project’s inception meeting, Prof. George Wagah, Team Lead of Geo Dev Survey Company said Turkana County has been grouped in Cluster 4, alongside Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Baringo, and Trans Nzoia counties.
“As the consulting firm, we are fully aware of the expectations to craft a comprehensive, practical, and contextually relevant strategy that addresses Turkana’s unique challenges in slum upgrading and the prevention of informal settlements,” Prof. Wagah said.
The proposed strategy will outline frameworks for the routine maintenance and operation of upgraded settlements, sustainable funding mechanisms through resource mobilization, and capacity-building initiatives to equip staff with the skills necessary for effective implementation.
Chief Officer for Urban Areas Management, Peter Lomorukai, expressed support for the strategy and called for an inclusive approach that incorporates community members, local leadership, and key institutions like the County Assembly.
Chief Officer for Lands and Physical Planning, Robert Loyelei, emphasized the importance of continuous information sharing throughout the process, echoing the need for stakeholder involvement.
According to KISIP’s project timeline, the development of the strategy will span 40 weeks within the current 2024-2025 financial year.
Turkana has six designated locations under the KISIP program, spread across Turkana Central, Turkana South, and Lokichoggio sub-counties.
Among those in attendance at the meeting were Davies Munialo, Director of Physical Planning; Joseph Egiron, Director of Survey; Simon Nangiro, Deputy Municipality Manager for Lodwar; Lucy Minyan, Administrator for Lodwar Municipality; and members of the Turkana County Assembly’s Lands Committee, led by Hon. Patrick Esekon.
By Peter Gitonga
