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Dusila Anyango,
a Muhoroni
resident,
receives solar
lighting and
storage kits in
Kisumu County/FAITH MATETE
The county government of Kisumu, in partnership with UN-Habitat, has launched a pilot social housing and infrastructure improvement programme in Muhoroni.
The initiative, to uplift the living conditions for residents of informal settlements, is being rolled out under the Partnership Implementing New Urban Agenda Project, which UN-Habitat is steering on behalf of the international community.
It targets settlements in Muhoroni, Shauri Moyo, Shauri Yako and Kisumu City, with plans to scale it up nationally once the pilot succeeds.
County chief of staff, Aloice Ager, said the collaboration builds on gains made under the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project, which helped resolve land ownership disputes and issued title deeds to residents.
“Now that residents have devolved ownership of their land, we are addressing the housing factor by providing improved social housing supported with key infrastructure such as lighting,” Ager explained.
As part of the rollout, UN-Habitat partnered with clean energy firm BLUETTI to distribute 300 solar home systems to vulnerable households in Shauri Moyo and Shauri Yako. Each system—comprising four lamps and a power bank—costs about Sh14,000, bringing the total investment to Sh4.5 million.
Officials noted that beyond improving livelihoods, the initiative carries climate benefits, cutting household carbon emissions by an estimated 337.5 tonnes over five years. It is also expected to strengthen urban resilience and build environmental awareness within the targeted communities.
“This is not something we take for granted. UN-Habitat engaging the private sector to drive the social settlements agenda is a big win and we are grateful Kisumu has been given this priority,” Ager said.
Jeremiah Ouko, UN-Habitat’s national programme officer in Kenya, said the partnership with Kisumu is threefold: township planning, incremental housing upgrades and provision of social amenities.
“We are planning the entire Muhoroni township, identifying households for housing improvements and ensuring beneficiaries live in more reasonable units,” Ouko said.
In addition, UN-Habitat is setting up a modern Early Childhood Development centre, a community hall and a public recreational space for Shauri Moyo and Shauri Yako residents.
Ouko explained that planning will take eight to 10 months, running concurrently with household improvement works. Designs for the social amenities have already been completed, while Environmental Impact Assessments are scheduled to begin next week.
“We want to ensure each activity we undertake does not negatively impact the environment. We thank the county government for prioritising Muhoroni and the European Union for funding this initiative,” he added.
Residents expressed gratitude for the solar distribution, saying it would significantly improve their lives.
Dusila Anyango, 83, described the day as a blessing.
“I have been struggling with lighting, but this solar lamp will make life easier,” she said.
For Ishmael Bakari, the system means relief from hardships during power outages and rainy seasons.
Eunice Awino said the support was timely.
“My old solar lamp was no longer working and I could not afford a replacement. This will help me provide better light for my children,” the mother of five said.
The Muhoroni project is expected to serve as a model for improving informal settlements across Kenya by combining housing, infrastructure and community development in an integrated approach.
Instant Analysis
The Kisumu–UN Habitat initiative in Muhoroni marks a significant shift in addressing Kenya’s urban housing challenges through an integrated model that combines housing, infrastructure, and community development. By building on the gains of KISIP, the programme goes beyond land ownership to improve the quality of life in informal settlements. The solar energy distribution adds a climate resilience dimension, easing household costs while cutting emissions. Crucially, the project demonstrates the value of multi-stakeholder collaboration—government, international agencies, and private sector—in tackling systemic urban poverty. If successful, Muhoroni could become a blueprint for replicable, sustainable, and inclusive housing solutions nationwide.
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