By Lena Juma and Martin Musembi

In the heart of Kenya’s Central Highlands, where the slopes of Mount Kenya cradle the counties of Kirinyaga, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and Nyeri, the Second Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP2) is transforming lives - one community at a time.

Through KISIP2’s interventions—land tenure security, improved infrastructure, and community-driven development—these regions are not just seeing physical upgrades but also the rekindling of dreams for families.

“As a resident in the one of colonial villages, I now own a title deed and this has greatly improved my life. I can now take a bank loan and educate my children with the cash even as I invest in my farm,” says Peter Kagai, 80, an elder from Kamuiri colonial village, Nyeri County. For him, issuance of title deed has been a game-changer.

In Meru County, home to over 1.5 million people and a vibrant agricultural hub, KISIP2 has focused on upgrading informal settlements in urban informal settlements like Majengo, Mjini and Salama.

Mary Mwende, a vegetable vendor in Majengo, says before KISIP2, rains would destroy their paths and make businesses impossible. “Now, I can transport my goods easily, and customers feel safer shopping at night,” she notes.

Nyeri County, a key agricultural and cultural center in the Mount Kenya region, has seen significant KISIP2 interventions in informal settlements like Majengo and Kiawara. Infrastructure upgrades in Nyeri include the construction of tarmacked roads, footpaths, and sanitation facilities. In Majengo, a new sewer line has improved hygiene and reduced waterborne diseases, while high-mast floodlights have enhanced security. John Kamau, a boda boda operator, noted,

“The roads and lights have made my work easier. I can now operate late without fear, and my income has doubled.”

Tharaka Nithi, a county of 393,177 residents with a mix of fertile highlands and arid lowlands, faces unique challenges in its informal settlements, particularly in Marimanti and Kathwana centers. Settlements in Chuka are nearing completion, with plans to issue over 300 titles. This has given residents like Esther Muthoni, a single mother, confidence to build a permanent home: “I no longer fear losing my plot. I’m saving to add a shop to my house.”

Kirinyaga County, renowned for its rice production and proximity to Mount Kenya, has benefited from KISIP’s interventions in informal settlements around Kerugoya and Kutus. The project has supported land surveys and planning, with draft PDPs for 10 settlements ready for approval. This has set the stage for issuing over 800 titles, empowering residents to access loans and invest in housing.

In Meru, Nyeri, Tharaka Nithi, and Kirinyaga, KISIP’s impact is undeniable. From secure land titles to better roads, water, and sanitation, the project has improved lives and laid the foundation for sustainable urbanization.

Lena is Public Communications Officer at the State Department for Housing and Urban Development; Martin is an ICT officer supporting KISIP2 communications