The Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP) Component 2 on Social Economic Inclusion is a significant initiative aimed at improving the living conditions of residents in informal settlements, with Kipkaren and Mwanzo being the beneficiary settlements under this phase in Uasin Gishu County.
KISIP’s National Representative for the Social Economic Inclusion Component, Ms. Zenah Kurui emphasized that the program will be transformative for Uasin Gishu’s marginalized population and will significantly enhance community empowerment. She highlighted the importance of involving residents in the decision-making processes to directly identify their challenges and address them through effective solutions.






“Under the Social Economic Inclusion component, we are actively involving all residents in decision-making processes to identify the issues affecting them directly and bring solutions through capacity building, training programs, workshops, and the creation of labour-based job opportunities,” noted Zenah Kurui.
Ms. Beatrice Menjo, the Director of Housing, acknowledged that the process has seen active participation and ownership by the residents of Mwanzo and Kipkaren. She further emphasized that gender equality and the inclusion of vulnerable groups are central to the program’s success.
“We have looked into gender and vulnerable groups inclusion to promote gender equality by ensuring that women, youth, and persons with disabilities are given equal opportunities for participation in the development process,” said Ms. Beatrice Menjo.
In collaboration with the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), KISIP 2 is also focusing on providing skills development training for the youth, enabling them to access income-generating opportunities. The program offers training in critical skills such as plumbing, masonry, carpentry, welding, and mechanics. These skills are designed to give youth sustainable job opportunities, even beyond the program’s duration, as explained by NITA representative Mr. Mutuli Kevin.




The program also aims to provide support to individuals at risk of gender-based violence, ensuring that vulnerable populations are safeguarded as they benefit from the various empowerment initiatives.
Veronica Koech, the program consultant from Pamoja Trust, explained that KISIP 2 focuses on improving social infrastructure in the region. This includes the development of social halls that will serve as community gathering spaces and enhance women’s groups such as “chamas” (savings and investment groups), further promoting economic inclusion for women in these communities.
Through these efforts, KISIP 2 is set to create a more inclusive, empowered, and sustainable future for the residents of Kipkaren and Mwanzo.