The World Bank will spend Kes900 million to upgrade slums in Trans Nzoia County under Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Program 2 (KISIP 2).

The program, which will be implemented in collaboration with the national and county governments, aims to upgrade Matisi, Kipsongo, Tuwani, Shanti, and Mitume informal settlements.

During the rollout, Governor George Natembeya said the program would also give facelifts to roads within slums, which would help boost residents' living standards.

“This programme has come in handy as it will help us upgrade our informal settlements in a bid to provide enhanced amenities to the dwellers.”

The program will also focus on upgrading roads, installing streetlights, increasing water connectivity, and opening up drainages.

Further, the contractors implementing the project should consider engaging residents for manpower, save for areas requiring high expertise that may not be available.

Meanwhile, the Governor challenged residents to zealously own and guard the project for future generations.

“I would like our people to own and guard these projects from vandalism. I would like you to drop the mentality that these are government projects; these are your projects,” he said.

Lands, Housing, and Urban Planning County Executive Committee Member Janerose Mutama noted that the County is blessed with fertile land for agriculture. Proper plans are urgently needed to accommodate farming activities and housing for the increasing population.