A historic estate is set to be demolished in Kisumu City as a Housing project worth Ksh3.5 Billion supported by the county government takes shape.
The residents of Makasembo estate, which is 100 years old, have been given a notice until February 28 to vacate the houses to pave way for the demolition of the structures, some of which were deemed unfit to live in.
The multi-billion modern housing project is being undertaken by the Local Authorities Pension Fund LAPFUND which is a Retirement Benefits Scheme for county government workers.
The fund gave Ksh12 million to the residents whose tenancy had been terminated and were expected to move out of the houses.
The 128 residents received cheques of Ksh96,000 each as compensation for their eviction.
LAPFUND chief executive David Koross who spoke at an event in Kisumu on Wednesday, February 11, lauded the project as one that would restore the lost glory of the area.
“We have had several engagements with the residents. The first priority will be given to residents,” Koross assured.
LAPFUND plans to build 1,700 housing units on the 10-acre land with the groundbreaking set for March 1, 2021.
The fund plans to plans to build one, two, and three bedroomed houses as part of Governor Anyang Nyong'os urban renewal and affordable housing unit projects.
The units will have prices ranging from Ksh1.6million to Ksh2.5 million when complete.
''We expect to build the houses within the next two and half years and then sell to them affordably rates,'' Koross said.
A previous eviction exercise led to protests with residents clashing with police. The exercise was eventually called off after five steel gates were demolished.
