Thursday, March 22, 2012

Kenya to step up slum upgrading programs, president assures



Written By:PPS,    Posted: Thu, Mar 22, 2012
President Mwai Kibaki with the Kenya's Minister for Housing Hon. Soita Shitanda and the UN under secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-HABITAT Dr Joan Close go through a Housing exhibition
The Government has established an all inclusive institutional framework for improvement of informal settlements, President Mwai Kibaki has said.
President Kibaki assured that his Government will step up the slum upgrading initiatives through the Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme and the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Programme.
Said the President: "These programmes aim at addressing urban planning, infrastructure services, land tenure, shelter and improved livelihoods in our cities and towns countrywide."
The President was speaking Thursday at Kenyatta International Conference Centre where he officially opened the 4th Session of the African Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development.
President Kibaki added that the Government has taken measures to address challenges of urbanization and improve the living standards of Kenyans.
The Head of State pointed out that the Government has instituted legal, policy and institutional interventions aimed at promoting access to land, housing, basic services and infrastructure while mitigating the effects of climate change.
"We have embarked on the full implementation of our new Constitution which calls for fundamental shift in provision of basic services and management of land among other provisions," President Kibaki said.
Urbanization
The President emphasized that urban planning must focus on expanding access to basic services for all in cities and towns while addressing existing inequalities.
"In this way, we will achieve substantial progress in our journey towards sustainable urbanization," President Kibaki said.
President Kibaki observed that amidst the challenges of urbanization are great opportunities for investment as more people are attracted to the urban centers.
On climate change, President Kibaki said the Government formulated the National Climate Response Strategy in April 2010 to provide national guidelines for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
He observed that the strategy aims at putting in place robust measures needed to address challenges posed by climate change.
President Kibaki, at the same time, urged African countries to adopt policies and programmes that focus on effective and prudent use of resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
The President expressed hope that Kenya will share with the rest of the continent some of the lessons drawn from her experiences and achievements in the course of the conference.
President Kibaki noted that the conference comes at a time when half of the world's population is living in urban areas while in Africa over a third of the inhabitants currently live in urban areas.
Said the President: "It is projected that half of Africa's population will be living in urban areas by the year 2030."
In this regard, the President said the rapid rate of urbanization requires careful planning and implementation of remedial measures, noting that Africa continues to face severe challenges associated with rapid urbanization ranging from housing shortages and security to environmental degradation.
He added that other global phenomena such as climate change and an economic downturn have compounded the problem and contributed to a worsening urban physical and economic environment.
President Kibaki, therefore, said he was optimistic that the conference would come up with innovative and practical strategies of bringing about sustainable urbanization in Africa.
"Indeed, the conference theme is timely as it focuses on planning and access to basic services in urban areas.  This is a key component in our efforts to improve the standard of living in our cities," President Kibaki said.
Slum upgrading
The Head of State invited the delegates to get time out of their busy schedule to tour the country and sample the slum upgrading programmes being undertaken by the government.
Speaking during the occasion, Vice President Kalonzo said observance of law and order created an atmosphere of peace and harmony which are key to implementation of planned programmes in any country.
The Vice President, at the same time, urged African countries to speak in one voice in support of Kenya's campaign to retain the UN offices in Nairobi.
Housing Minister Soita Shitanda acknowledged the relevance of AMCHUD as the best medium of exchange in the best practices among African countries.
Mr. Shitanda said Kenya has developed a database for all urban development best practices to share with other countries in the continent.
Others who spoke during the occasion were the outgoing AMCHUD chairman who is also the minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development in Mali Mr. Yacouba Diallo, HABITAT Executive Director Dr. Joan Clos and the UN Under Secretary-General and Director General UNON Dr Sahle-Work Zewde.
Dr. Zewde said the United Nations which was closely monitoring the developments in Mali also supports constitutional order in the West African country.
In attendance were Assistant Minister Margret Wanjiru, acting Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Mr. Francis Kimemia, senior government officials, relevant ministers and heads of delegations from AMCHUD member countries and members of the diplomatic corps among others.

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