By Amos Jaganyi and Eva Kurgat

For millions of Kenyans living in several informal settlements associated with vibrant yet vulnerable communities, access to basic necessities like good roads, well-lit streets, clean water and sanitation has long been a distant dream.

But projects like the Second Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP2) are stepping in as game-changers, aligning directly with global ambitions for sustainable development. These initiatives are not just about building infrastructure—they're about reclaiming dignity and fostering resilient urban spaces.

The stark reality of Kenya's sanitation crisis is laid bare by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) statistics which indicates that while 59 per cent of the population has access to safe drinking water, only 29 per cent can claim basic sanitation facilities.

This disparity is even more pronounced in informal settlements, home to a significant portion of the country's urban poor. Here, over 65 per cent of residents grapple with inadequate sanitation, leading to health hazards, environmental degradation, and social inequities. Open defecation, overflowing latrines, and contaminated water sources are daily perils, exacerbating diseases like cholera and typhoid.

KISIP2 emerges as a beacon of hope. Launched as an extension of its predecessor, the project targets informal settlements across selected counties, providing essential infrastructure free of charge. Roads, bicycle paths, pedestrian walkways, street and security lighting, vending platforms, solid waste collection and sorting systems, stormwater drainage, and crucially, water and sanitation systems—all form part of its comprehensive investment menu under KISIP2.

KISIP2 dovetails seamlessly with the Government of Kenya's broader slum upgrading and housing agenda, which aims to uplift marginalized urban areas. It's a strategic fit with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which champions clean water and sanitation as fundamental human rights essential for broader development. Echoing the now-superseded Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the project strives to make every dwelling and its surroundings clean, free from waste and odors, with adequate drainage.

Vending platforms and solid waste systems, for instance, create opportunities for informal traders, turning waste into wealth through recycling. Security lighting reduces crime, making nights safer for residents. Pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths promote eco-friendly mobility, easing congestion in densely populated areas.

Aligning with SDGs ensures that development is equitable and sustainable. SDG 6, in particular, underscores that water and sanitation are enablers for other goals: health (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), and reduced inequalities (SDG 10). By investing in these, Kenya positions itself as a leader in the global fight against poverty.

Amos is a Communications Intern at the State Department for Housing and Urban Development (SDHUD) while Eve is Public Communication Officer at SDHUD