A wave of transformation is sweeping through the informal settlements of Kahawa Soweto and Kayole Soweto, thanks to a groundbreaking initiative under the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project II (KISIP II). At the heart of this change is the Urban Fabric Initiative (UFI), a community-focused program that is breathing new life into Nairobi’s most underserved neighborhoods.
Led by the Nairobi City County’s Housing and Urban Renewal Department, under Chief Officer Lydia Mathia, the UFI projects are turning previously neglected spaces into hubs of opportunity, safety, and dignity. From public sanitation blocks to community kitchens, cyber hubs, lactation rooms, and playgrounds, the projects are tailored to meet the real needs of residents.
“The Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project plays a pivotal role in the Urban Fabric Initiative by systematically addressing foundational challenges in these communities,” said Ms. Mathia. “Through improved infrastructure, secure land tenure, and community-led development, we are turning marginalized areas into vibrant, dignified neighborhoods.”
Backed by the Government of Kenya, the European Union, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and implemented in collaboration with Nairobi County Government and partners like Kounkuey Design Initiative and Slum Dwellers International, the UFI is a model of multisectoral collaboration.
Governor Sakaja Johnson echoed this vision:
“These projects are more than structures. They are incubators for informal businesses and platforms for economic empowerment. By freeing up time for women and creating space for youth mentorship and digital access, we’re building futures right where people live,” Sakaja said
Kayole Soweto residents also witnessed a major uplift with the launch of a social hall, water purifier, public washrooms, study room, and computer lab facilities that aim to address the acute shortage of clean water, safe learning environments, and modern skills training.
The Chief Officer’s department plays a central role in ensuring that such initiatives are not only delivered but sustained. Through close coordination with development partners, national agencies, and the community, Lydia Mathia’s office ensures that the county’s broader urban development goals are seamlessly integrated with KISIP II’s mission.
In other parts of Nairobi, such as Embakasi Village, Kambi Moto, Spring Valley Kayole, and Mathare, similar works ranging from road upgrades to drainage and street lighting—are underway under KISIP II.
