By Zuleikha Salim
As you drive or walk towards Moi stadium in Kisumu, from the Patel roundabout or vice versa, it is not difficult to recognize a beehive of activity going on adjacent to the Lumumba Sub-County Hospital.
Sounds of construction machinery rent the air, with boots on ground and every hand on deck making the once quiet place a dislike for people with ‘lazy bones.’ Here, the Lumumba Affordable Housing Project is well on course.
The project commenced in July, 2024, and is expected to be completed by January, 2026.
Envisioned as a solution to bridge the housing gap and uplift communities in Kisumu, this ambitious initiative seeks to transform urban living and offer dignity through affordable homes.
According to Samuel Onyango, the overall Site Manager, the initiative comprises 15 blocks, categorised into three types: Type A, Type B, and Type C.
“In both Type A and Type B, there are 7 blocks each, while Type C consists of just one block. The project will comprise a total of 2,400 units, each designed as two or three-bedroom apartments,” he said.
Currently, the project is at 9% completion, falling short of the anticipated 21% target.
Daniel Maganya Odhiambo, the foreman and secretary said the primary challenge lies in accurately determining the dimensions of building materials.
Another challenge, as highlighted by Benta Chelagat, a storekeeper at the project, is the concerns about issuing building materials, noting that sometimes workers request more than their quotas.
With acres of experience in the construction industry, Chelagat says women are coming out strongly to give men ‘a run for their money.’
“What men can do; women can do better. This is evidenced by the excellent performance of the ladies here compared to their male counterparts,” she remarked.
800 people – 480 men and 320 women have landed various job opportunities at the site, since construction started mid this year.
Among them is Kapis Ojuki who said he is able to fend for his family from the earnings at the site. Workers at the site earn between Sh500 to Sh700 daily, which translates to between Sh3,500 and Sh4,900 weekly.
“I have worked in the construction sector for 34 years, gaining extensive experience and using my skills to support my family.”
Jemima Atieno Odhiambo, an alumnus of Bondo Technical Institute in Siaya County who began as an intern, now supervises work at the site.
She expressed hope for better terms as work progresses. “Initially, I was offered lunch, which later expanded to transport facilitation. I look forward to further improvements.”
Majority of the construction materials are sourced from within Kisumu County, uplifting suppliers in one way or another.
The project is valued at Sh5.2 billion.