A US$125,000 project aimed at providing hundreds of nomadic pastoralists in northern Kenya with decent, environment-friendly and affordable shelter is under way: Brick- and tile-making for the houses began last week in the northern town of Isiolo, an official said.
The first 200 targeted families, most of whom have been living in rundown temporary structures, are expected to move into their new homes in various parts of northern Kenya by the end of 2009.
Kassim Rashid Amin, managing director of the Ewaso Nyiro North River Development Authority - the implementing agency - said the project would give the families a chance to own a home at half the normal cost.
"This project started last year after we bought a hydraform [block-making] machine, which has the capacity to produce more than 1,500 blocks an hour, and more than double that number of tiles an hour, and we have enough materials available in the region; our work is going on well now," Amin said.
The immediate beneficiaries are in Isiolo and Wajir districts, and pastoralists in Garissa, Mandera, Samburu and Moyale districts are expected to benefit at a later date.
"The community in northern Kenya has never been offered a housing scheme since independence. Many cannot afford to access loans because they lack collateral but this programme will change that," Amin said.
Each $750 home consists of two rooms. It is expected that most pastoralists will sell some of their livestock to be able to buy the homes.
"A significant number of people in this region cannot afford houses even when they are cheap; we know about such cases and we have asked for assistance for them," Amin said.
Health, education benefits
"The project… will also involve improved health services, and the putting up of more latrines and schools," he said.
Batula Maalim, a project coordinator, said the programme would help beneficiaries enjoy more privacy, live in more hygienic conditions and be at a lower risk of catching communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, which is currently rampant because people live in tiny and poorly-ventilated homes.
Mary Ewoton, a mother of three in Isiolo who had turned up to watch the brick-making, described her current accommodation.
"I live in a one-roomed, mud-walled house, which leaks when it rains and I live in danger all time; the house has no door. In fact many people have been attacked by wild animals as they sleep… Women and girls have been raped and the house cannot stop bullets," Ewoton said, adding that there was no way she could afford one of the new houses.
She appealed to the government and aid organizations to help the poor access better housing facilities.
Noor Mohamed Happi, employed at the Isiolo brick- and tile-making factory, said at least 80 previously idle young people had got jobs with the project.
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The first 200 targeted families, most of whom have been living in rundown temporary structures, are expected to move into their new homes in various parts of northern Kenya by the end of 2009.
Kassim Rashid Amin, managing director of the Ewaso Nyiro North River Development Authority - the implementing agency - said the project would give the families a chance to own a home at half the normal cost.
"This project started last year after we bought a hydraform [block-making] machine, which has the capacity to produce more than 1,500 blocks an hour, and more than double that number of tiles an hour, and we have enough materials available in the region; our work is going on well now," Amin said.
The immediate beneficiaries are in Isiolo and Wajir districts, and pastoralists in Garissa, Mandera, Samburu and Moyale districts are expected to benefit at a later date.
"The community in northern Kenya has never been offered a housing scheme since independence. Many cannot afford to access loans because they lack collateral but this programme will change that," Amin said.
Each $750 home consists of two rooms. It is expected that most pastoralists will sell some of their livestock to be able to buy the homes.
"A significant number of people in this region cannot afford houses even when they are cheap; we know about such cases and we have asked for assistance for them," Amin said.
Photo: Noor Ali/IRIN  |
| Bricks made for the pastoralists' housing project |
"The project… will also involve improved health services, and the putting up of more latrines and schools," he said.
Batula Maalim, a project coordinator, said the programme would help beneficiaries enjoy more privacy, live in more hygienic conditions and be at a lower risk of catching communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, which is currently rampant because people live in tiny and poorly-ventilated homes.
Mary Ewoton, a mother of three in Isiolo who had turned up to watch the brick-making, described her current accommodation.
"I live in a one-roomed, mud-walled house, which leaks when it rains and I live in danger all time; the house has no door. In fact many people have been attacked by wild animals as they sleep… Women and girls have been raped and the house cannot stop bullets," Ewoton said, adding that there was no way she could afford one of the new houses.
She appealed to the government and aid organizations to help the poor access better housing facilities.
Noor Mohamed Happi, employed at the Isiolo brick- and tile-making factory, said at least 80 previously idle young people had got jobs with the project.
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This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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