September 19, 2012
THE government has spent more than Sh49 million in various development housing projects in Homa Bay town. The projects, under the Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme, include ten classrooms, one health centre, an ECD hall and a block of pit latrines at Rabuor Masawa Primary School.
Others are a health centre at Makongeni slum and three electric towered high mast floodlights. “The slum upgrading envisaged is not about improvement in housing, but also covers improvements in the lives of the people living and working in slums,” said Housing minister Soita Shitanda.
He was speaking in Homa Bay town during the handing over of the projects to municipal council yesterday. Shiitanda said the programme will institutionalise a broad range of shelter policies including the creation of institutions and mechanism for sustainable financing of slum upgrading and infrastructures.
The minister added that the programme has undertaken projects aimed at providing critical social and physical infrastructure in informal settlements. Shitanda was accompanied by Rangwe MP Martin Otieno Ogindo, Homa bay Mayor Charles Katinga and his deputy Otieno Ochaka. “The erratic cost of housing has forced low-income earners to seek cheaper accommodation in slums where hygiene and drainage are below standard,” said the minister.
Shitanda, who is Malava MP, said his ministry has drafted a bill which if enacted will guarantee poor Kenyans access to quality housing. He said the law when passed will force the state to set aside funds for the construction of affordable houses under the Social Housing Programme.
Shitanda said the new bill, which is currently at the AG’s office, was inspired by the constitution’s requirement of the right to affordable and decent housing for every citizen. Ogindo asked the municipal council to maintain the facilities so taxpayers can enjoy quality services. “The rate of crime in the town has gone down since the erection of the floodlights and I am told business people go about their activities late into the night,” he said.
Ogindo added that enrolment at Rabuor Masawa Primary school has doubled since the construction of the 10 classes. The KENSUP is currently in the implementation phase and covers slums in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Mavoko, Nyeri, Kakamega, Nakuru, Malindi, Bungoma, Eldoret, Homa Bay and Embu.
Source: All Africa
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