The government has began the process of constructing container houses for some of its employees based at the Nairobi National Park.
In a special event held at the Kenya Wildlife (KWS) headquarters on Sunday, March 8, Tourism CS Najib Balala, noted that the project was launched to accord the workers dignified housing.
Dubbed Dignity Housing Project, the structures will replace the tent accommodation that currently the rangers live in.
The houses are targeting 72 rangers at the park and will contain kitchenette, mounted beds, shelves and washrooms.
"The project aims at improving the living conditions of the 72 strong dedicated rangers that offer 24 hours surveillance and monitoring of rhinos in Nairobi National Park.
"Dignity Housing will replace the tent accommodation that currently the rangers live in, with 25 fabricated 20 feet containers with inclusions such as kitchenette, mounted beds, shelves and washrooms, that will go a long way in providing comfort for the rangers manning our wildlife," read the statement in part.
Speaking at the event Balala commended the rangers for stepping up war against poaching after the country recorded zero incidents of Rhino poaching in 2020.
"We recorded zero rhino deaths from poaching in 2020, for the first time since 1999. We also need to get the number of elephants poached yearly to nil. Our rangers risk their lives to protect wildlife, and they deserve Dignity Housing.
"There are 250 blocks all over the country for the rhino sanctuary. These 25 containers donated by our partners is a start. We need to come together, develop a clear framework and come up with a funding strategy for the remaining blocks," he stated.
The government has been keen on providing affordable housing to its populace. Housing in Nairobi has indeed received a boost in recent months after Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) unveiled a plan to construct affordable housing in 10 Nairobi estates.
At the beginning of March, NMS revealed that more houses in select Nairobi estates were set to be demolished in the ongoing urban renewal programme.
Already works are underway in Pangani with housing units nearing completion. Also under phase one of the program are Jevanjee/Bachelors Quarters, Old Ngara, New Ngara, Ngong Road Phase 1, Ngong Road Phase 2, and Suna Road sites.
Phase two of the project will affect buildings in Woodley, Ziwani, Bahati, Maringo, Jericho, Lumumba, Bondeni, California, Embakasi and Kariobangi North.
In the programme, the old housing stock will be demolished in a phased manner as construction is completed.
