A wave of transformation is reshaping the informal settlements of Kahawa Soweto and Kayole Soweto, as the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project II (KISIP II) breathes new life into some of Nairobi’s most underserved neighbourhoods.
Central to this change is the Urban Fabric Initiative (UFI), a community-driven program that is reclaiming neglected spaces and turning them into hubs of opportunity, safety, and dignity. Residents now have access to public sanitation blocks, community kitchens, cyber hubs, lactation rooms, and playgrounds, all designed to meet the real needs of the community.
Supported by the Government of Kenya, the European Union, and Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and implemented in partnership with Nairobi City County Government, Kounkuey Design Initiative, and Slum Dwellers International, the initiative is a model of multisectoral collaboration in action.
In Kayole Soweto, the changes are tangible: a new social hall, water purifier, public washrooms, study room, and computer lab are providing safe, clean, and functional spaces for residents. These facilities address critical shortages of clean water, safe study areas for children, and modern digital skills training.
Beyond Kayole and Kahawa Soweto, similar works are underway in Embakasi Village, Kambi Moto, Spring Valley Kayole, and Mathare, including road upgrades, drainage improvements, and street lighting, all part of KISIP II’s broader effort to create safer, healthier, and more connected communities.
What initiative has your County taken to upgrade infrastructure and improve living conditions in informal settlements?
Visit https://maarifa.cog.go.ke/ to learn more about the successful initiatives on service delivery our Counties are undertaking.