By Jabali Media
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has challenged both the national and county governments to closely work with the private sector, in addressing the challenge of housing in urban areas.
Speaking at Kirembe, Kisumu on Saturday during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sh120 billion LV Marina housing project, Odinga said rural-urban migration is a permanent phenomenon, insisting that there’s need to urgently address the issue of decent housing deficit in Kenya’s urban areas.
He said that national and county governments alone cannot decisively address the housing shortage in urban areas, calling for collaboration with the private sector.
“Kisumu, like all our urban centers, is grappling with the challenge of rural-urban migration that has seen the proliferation of unplanned settlements that offer inadequate living standards and are vulnerable to crime and insecurity, among other problems,” Odinga said.
The politician who initially served as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development, said the future belongs to cities that offer high standards of living including better homes, better schools, good hospitals, good social amenities and good jobs.
Kisumu governor Anyang’ Nyong’o said the project, which will lie on a 285-acre piece of land in Kirembe, nestled along the breathtaking shores of Lake Victoria, combines elegance and functionality.
“This state-of-the-art development offers luxury housing, commercial hubs, active recreation spaces, industrial opportunities, and a cutting-edge convention center at its core,” noted the second term county boss.
The project, a creation of GulfCap Real Estate company, will take 6 years to complete.
Chris Ochieng, company Chief Executive Officer (CEO) said LV Marina is their third venture after the Sh6 billion Buxton Point project in Mombasa, and the Sh20 billion Starehe Point project in Nairobi.
The Kisumu project, he said, will employ tens of thousands through direct and indirect job opportunities.
“And we hope it will also attract more investors and foreign direct investments into Kisumu and the country,” said Ochieng.
Kisumu City Manager Michael Abala Wanga urged the people of Kisumu to support the project, urging residents with idle land to put it into use or give it up for development purposes.
“A city will stagnate if land lies vacant for so many years,” said Wanga.