County begins re-designing Kisumu to face Lake Victoria
What you need to know:
- Official says the redesigning of the town is aimed at attracting tourists to the beaches.
- County officials are seeking to re-organise traffic flow into the central business district.
The redesigning of Kisumu City to face Lake Victoria has begun.
Speaking to the Nation on Sunday, town manager Doris Ombara said the county has started implementing the Kisumu Urban Project.
“We have already began the rehabilitation of markets at a cost of Sh350 million for Kibuye, Sh170 million for Otonglo and Jubilee Sh270 million,” she said.
The official said in the master plan, street lights would be installed, roads redesigned and slums upgraded.
The official said the redesigning of the town to face the lake is aimed at attracting tourists to the beaches.
Ms Ombara said there are plans to relocate the bus park out of the city centre.
As part of the upgrade, floodlights have been installed in informal settlements such as Manyatta, Obunga and Shauri Moyo.
IMPLEMENTED JOINTLY
Ms Ombara said the 30-year Kisumu Integrated Strategic Urban Plan seeks to modernise the town to international standards. The project will be implemented jointly with the French Government.
County officials are seeking to re-organise traffic flow into the central business district by controlling the entry of Public Service Vehicles to ease congestion. There are also plans to reclaim public land.
Part of the proposal of the master plan indicates that the lake’s shore will have cafés and restaurants.
“Passenger vehicles using the Nairobi highway will stop at Molem in Nyamasaria, the ones using the Kisumu-Kakamega road will stop at the Mamboleo junction while the ones using Busia road would stop at Kisian junction,” said Ms Ombara.
She said there is a proposal to put up a six-storey complex at Kibuye market and a three-storey one at Jubilee.
“Once complete, Kibuye market will accommodate about 1,000 traders, while Jubilee will host approximately 600 of them,” said Ms Ombara.
