World Bank Sh400m Grant Upgrades Huruma Slum Infrastructure in Ol Kalou

A version of this article appeared on Nation.Africa.

The informal settlement of Huruma in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County, has transitioned into an active economic zone following the completion of a major civil works upgrade.

The infrastructure improvements were funded via a Sh400 million grant from the World Bank.

The capital was channeled through the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Programme (KISIP), targeting civil works to remedy decades of structural neglect.

For years, the area was restricted by poor accessibility, regular flooding, and a reputation for insecurity.

The completed civil works include new tarmac roads, concrete pedestrian pavements, and a covered drainage network to control storm water runoff.

Contractors also erected solar-powered street lights and established a dedicated vending platform to accommodate local traders.

Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha stated that the comprehensive installation of street lighting and paved arterial walkways has significantly altered the security dynamics of the settlement.

Local land proprietor John Githinji noted that the elimination of dark alleys has closed down operational bases for criminal elements and illicit drug dens, which previously hindered evening commerce.

With the installation of functional public infrastructure, commercial operations have extended into the night hours.

Property values within Huruma have experienced a sharp upward trajectory, attracting new private real estate investment into the immediate area.

The upgrade serves as a reference point for targeted civil interventions under the KISIP framework, demonstrating how basic infrastructural provisions can stabilize volatile urban areas.