L.Victoria Rept - UN-Habitat

2.2 WaterIdentified Problems Contributory factors Proposed interventionsLimited geographic distribution and the exclusion of most peri-urban andrural parts of Kisumu adversely affecting the urban poor.• Inadequate overall supply of portable water Poor/obsolete distribution/reticulation system• Lack of clear vision of water as the largest economic asset of Kisumu city• Inefficiency in billing, operation and maintenance• Poor/lack of systems/structures for effective management of the watersector• Formulate policies that will elevate water in terms of benefits tohouseholds, industry and sports• Privatization could provide some solution to the inefficiency andcorruption• Establish utility companies for water and sewerageA clear distinction needs to be developed between domestic water with thepoor in particular being subsidized by industrial consumers2.3 Economic DevelopmentIncreased poverty • Collapse of agro-based industries• Lack of Industrial water to attract large scale economic investors to thetown• Non-availability of a land use plan to guide development• Non-performing cooperatives• Water hyacinth• HIV/AIDS pandemic• Use of energy inefficient technologies• Formulate city urban poverty strategy linked to the PRSP processes• Establish a corporate planning section (small and micro-enterprisedevelopment officer) within a new city planning Department• Establish a city-wide urban poverty reduction fund/scheme• Establish a permanent investment roundtable involving all stakeholders• Market Kisumu as a tourist spot (facelift beaches, water sports)• Extend services to the rural areas of the city to encourage residents toseek/develop housing and IGAs• Promotion of a market policy for informal sector activities such ashawking/street vending• Revive and strengthen cooperatives• Attract local as well as regional investmentsHigh unemployment • Closure of KICOMI• Closure of Kenya Breweries• Poor performance in the commercial and retail sectors• Inadequate support from the capital markets for both formal andinformal sector undertakings• Decline of Kenya Railways resulting in job loses• Inability of the economy of Kenya, to provide sufficient jobs for therapidly growing workforce• Deterioration of infrastructure• Policy for youth/women employment• Strengthen community level capacity to save and raise funds forcommunity-contracting• Use labor-based technology for infrastructure development (job creationfor the urban poor)• Encourage boda-boda bicycle services groups and savings• Promote the low-cost housing construction (firms employing more than200 persons to be encouraged to construct such houses)48Cities Development Strategies for Improved Urban Environment and Poverty Reduction in the Lake Victoria Region