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Kenya plans to expand slum upgrade program

Xinhua, February 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

Kenyan government said on Monday it will expand slum upgrade program to other cities and towns as part of empowering youth across the country.

Presidential spokesman Manoah Esipisu said since it began in September 2014, large parts of Kibera, one of Africa's largest slums and other informal settlements in Nairobi have been cleaned up, and new roads built.

"There has also been a sharp rise in trade for small businesses, and employment for our young people," Esipisu said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta who launched the programme last year said the projects will be used to upgrade Mukuru kwa Njenga, Korogocho and Mathare informal settlements in Nairobi County.

"We are committed to ensuring equitable development in informal settlements and all other parts of the country," Kenyatta said.

He said the youth empowerment programs similar to the one initiated in Kibera would engage youth in activities that would impact positively on their lives.

Under the program, the government will engage 3,500 youths in each of the three settlements to be trained by National Youth Service Personnel on SACCOs to sustain them in the future.

The programme entails clean-up of informal settlements, opening- up of roads, street lighting, construction of medical clinics and police posts to ensure security of the residents.

Kenyatta said clean-up of the settlements would guarantee residents clean environments to engage in lawful activities.

According to Esipisu, after substantial progress in Nairobi, the National Youth Service (NYS) slum upgrade programme is now examining the prospects for its extension to Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret and other major towns.

Representatives from the programme last week visited Mombasa to assess the situation and better understand the county's needs.

"They will also recce other towns across the country with a view to expanding nationally in line with President Kenyatta's vision," Esipisu said.

The Kenyan president looks forward to seeing Kenyans countrywide reap the fruits of the programme. Endi