Hillary Kimutai, a single father of four, had been facing an uphill battle in raising his children while struggling with alcohol addiction in the Kipkaren informal settlement. His situation became more complicated when the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Programme Phase Two (KISIP 2) began affecting residents in the settlement, and he was among those facing relocation. However, his circumstances presented a challenge that went beyond the ordinary compensation and resettlement arrangements.
The County Government of Uasin Gishu identified Kimutai's family's circumstances during the project's implementation and sought guidance from county leadership on how best to support them. Following background investigations, the County Project Coordination Team (CPCT) managed to trace Kimutai's ageing mother in Turbo Sub-County. The discovery opened the door to a family reunion that would eventually change the family's circumstances.
Kimutai's mother agreed to provide part of her land to accommodate her son and four grandchildren. Despite her own ill health, the elderly woman was delighted at the prospect of having her grandchildren close to her. The county government subsequently facilitated the family's relocation and supported the construction of a new homestead where the children could grow up closer to their grandmother.
The new homestead comprises a two-bedroom house, a kitchen, a latrine, a well, and a posho mill. The facilities are intended to provide the family with decent shelter while allowing Kimutai to earn a living and support his four children. The infrastructure works are approximately 80 per cent complete, with Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim expected to officially hand over the house to Kimutai and his children once construction is finished.
The intervention impressed the National Programme Coordination Team, highlighting how development programmes can address social and economic challenges when vulnerable households are considered during implementation. The team, led by Uasin Gishu County Director of Housing and Head of Component Two (Social Economic Inclusion), Beatrice Menjo, visited the homestead to assess the progress.
Kimutai expressed gratitude to Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim and everyone who contributed to securing a better future for his children. He had almost given up hope of giving his children a decent home and a better future, but through the government's intervention, they now have a place to call home and an opportunity to rebuild their lives.
With the new homestead nearing completion, Kimutai and his children are preparing to begin a different chapter of their lives, closer to their grandmother and with the prospect of a more stable future. The county government's support has not only provided them with a roof over their heads but also an opportunity for Kimutai to start afresh and support his children through the posho mill.
Key points
- The Uasin Gishu County government gifted Kimutai a two-bedroom house and a posho mill to support his family.
- Kimutai's mother provided land for the new homestead, allowing her grandchildren to live close to her.
- The intervention aims to provide Kimutai with a stable income and a secure future for his children.
