Nairobi News

Residents of Marigoini slums in Nairobi South Ward have been assured by the area MCA that they will not be sidelined in the affordable housing project.

MCA Waithera Chege, who is also the Deputy Minority Leader in the Nairobi County Assembly, said she will ensure that the residents are involved and benefit from the project, which is aimed at upgrading standards in the slums.

She said that as the area MCA, she will not allow anyone from outside the area to occupy the affordable houses once the national government completes the project, which is expected to create 4,300 units.

“I will be very proud to hear that you have moved from where you did not have a toilet to where there is one, that you have moved from where the sewer runs through the door to where there is no sewer,” Ms Waithera said.

The MCA has asked residents to be patient with the government as it rolls out the project, saying it will take time but they will all benefit.

At the same time, the MCA insisted on inclusivity to ensure that the youth of the area are prioritised for jobs in affordable housing.

“We need to focus as residents of Nairobi South if the project is going to be implemented. We don’t want to see the youth from other areas being brought to do the work in our ward when we have our youth who need jobs.”

In response, the member said that through their efforts, the residents of Marigoni had met with senior officials from the National Housing Ministry, who gave them a clear path on how to carry out the exercise.

Speaking at the same event, Mr Gabriel Muli, from the National Ministry of Housing, said the government would take two years to complete the Marigoini project.

“Let us work together and follow the clear instructions. We will make sure that the doors, windows and other small things are sourced from the local Juakali association,” said Mr Muli.

The residents urged the government to move quickly and consider giving them money to rent houses elsewhere while they wait for the project to be completed.