Group seeks to build 800 decent houses in Kisumu using interlocking blocks.

 The Kisumu Informal Settlement Network Chairman Eliazar Osanya points some of the interlocking blocks which will be used to build decent but affordable houses within Bandani slums to replace the current houses which are in deplorable states-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo

By Dickson Odhiambo

December 10, 2018.

Group seeks to build 800 decent houses in Kisumu using interlocking blocks.

A GROUP has mooted a plan to build decent but affordable houses within Bandani slums targeting to transform the informal settlement.

The Group known as Kisumu Informal Settlement Network[KISNET} has embarked on this process which is aimed at transforming Bandani Informal Settlement’s housing structures through the use of locally made stabilized Solid Blocks commonly known as Interlocking Blocks.

Addressing the gathering today near Bandani Market during this year’s World Human Rights Day with a theme of Housing as a Human Right, KISNET Chairman Eliazar Osanya said the Local Communities living in Bandani area have greatly helped in the provision of the raw material and manufacturing the Interlocking Blocks which will be used in building the decent but affordable houses.

“The journey started with a research conducted by Prof. Alfred Omenya early this year which gave all Indications that there is need for people in the informal settlement to get decent housing,” Osanya says.

The KSNET Chair says the machine known as hydro form Block moulding machine for making the interlocking which was donated by the Department of Housing from the National Government has been of great help in making the blocks.

He adds that since they began making the blocks in October this year, the Bandani Community made a total of 5,000 blocks which will be used for building four houses for a start, adding that this is a pilot project will be rolled out in the entire Bandani area and its adjacent environment.

He says one bag of Cement is mixed with nine wheelbarrows of Murram to make 80 interlocking blocks for the program and this is very cheap indeed in making the blocks.

“Access to adequate, decent and affordable housing is a social human right which has been adequately amplified in the constitution of Kenya, the Big 4 Agenda and the ten point agenda of the country. It is therefore important that this transformation process should be fully supported by the duty bearer, civil society Organizations, NGOs and Community Members,” he adds.

He says they are working with plot and land owners who have shown willingness to accept fully the program.

The chairman adds that they will build about 800 houses using the new blocks covering an area of around ten square kilometers with a population of about 20,000 people. 

“It is our sincere hope that from Bandani, the Project will go to Obunga, Manyatta, Kibos, Nyalenda, Manyatta Arabs and Usoma,” he further says.

He says when President Kenyatta visits Kisumu this week on Thursday, the issue of decent and affordable housing should be among his priorities as one of the goodies to Kisumu County Residents.

ENDS.