By Reporter
The County Government of Kisumu has signed a Letter of Intent with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) on partnership for the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda (PINUA) – social housing upgrading programme in Kisumu County.
The initiative, with a concurrent investment of Kshs 2.7 billion in Nairobi and Kisumu, aims to deliver sustainable, inclusive and community-led development.
The signing ceremony took place in Kisumu between Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o on behalf of the County and UN-Habitat Executive Director in Kenya, Ms Anaclaudia Rossbach, who committed the partners to the implementation of the project.
Governor Nyong’o said the PINUA partnership specifically targets the less fortunate, reaffirming his commitment to supporting sustainable neighbourhoods with essential amenities.
Starting 1/11/2025, the County together with UN-Habitat will pilot housing projects in Kibuye Estate, Kisumu, and Muhoroni Sub-County on terms and approaches already adopted through public involvement in the beneficiary areas.
According to UN-Habitat Housing Architect Fred Omenya, the pilot phase is set to break ground in January 2026 in Kibuye, starting with two blocks of 24 housing units, eventually totalling 360 units. These will be one- and two-bedroom affordable units owned by the County for its rental stock.
UN-Habitat will bear 100% of the building construction costs, estimated at Sh 1.8m for a one-bedroom, Sh 2.4m for a two-bedroom and Sh 2.7m for a three-bedroom unit.
The programme will improve informal settlements by providing essential social infrastructure such as schools and sanitation. It will also deliver affordable rental housing with social amenities like early childhood centres and open spaces, while supporting incremental housing models that enable families to gradually build and own decent homes.
Rossbach reaffirmed the organisation’s global mandate to promote transformative change in cities.
“For us this partnership is important in the implementation of the newly established plan that focuses on access to housing, digital transformation of informal settlements for all,” she said.
The Shauri Yako area in Muhoroni will see a different community-enabling approach, facilitating the construction of up to 800 houses of various sizes.
Twenty houses will be provided free of charge to the most vulnerable community members, while the remaining 780 units will be supported through a co-operative financial model, backed by the European Union, allowing the residents to borrow against their savings.
“We will not flatten the whole of Kibuye Estate, but we will only demolish about five blocks to construct two high-rise blocks which will accommodate half of the residents in 24 units,” Omenya said.
The landmark development follows extensive public participation forums with residents of the beneficiary area, ensuring the project is community-led.
“This is not just about housing, but dignity, opportunity and peace. By investing in secure homes, Kisumu is proving that housing for all is possible,” Nyong’o said.
