Huruma and the broader Mathare area have been the focus of several significant infrastructure development initiatives in recent years, aimed at improving living conditions and service delivery.

Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP II).

As of 2024, the Second Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP II) is implementing substantial infrastructure upgrades in Huruma. Specifically, the project includes construction of 0.973 km of road and drainage works, 0.973 km of footpath and drainage works, and installation of 55 street lighting poles along a 0.973 km stretch in Huruma Fire Victims 2 area. This project, funded by the World Bank and Agence Française de Développement, forms part of a larger initiative covering multiple informal settlements in Nairobi.

In August 2024, the Nairobi City County Government held pre-bidding meetings for the second phase of this informal settlement improvement program, which includes Huruma Fire Victims 2 and Mathare Fire Victims areas. The scope encompasses construction of roads and sewers totaling 5.143 km and 1.005 km respectively, with installation of 343 streetlights across five settlement schemes. The project completion date is targeted for December 2025.

Slum Upgrading Programs.

Following the designation of Mathare as a special planning area in July 2020 by the former Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS), a structured approach to upgrading has been implemented. This designation ensures that future developments adhere to a structured planning framework, representing a shift from ad hoc development toward more coordinated urban planning.

The Mathare Zonal Plan, developed through collaboration between community organizations and technical experts, recommended comprehensive infrastructure strategies including valley-wide trunk and household-level connections for water and sanitary infrastructure, improved roads and drainage systems, and universal access to electricity. This community-led approach to planning has enabled more targeted and relevant infrastructure investments.

Housing Improvement Initiatives.

The Muungano wa Ghetto housing initiative, originating from efforts in the 1990s to mobilize slum residents, has been working to improve housing conditions in Huruma. In 2003, Ghetto was designated for upgrading, and a Memorandum of Understanding between Nairobi County Government and Muungano wa Ghetto granted land to the community at no cost, with residents expected to redevelop the area.

The project initially constructed basic starter housing shells costing KES 160,000 per unit, later transitioning to more complete starter units at KES 250,000. To accelerate housing availability and lower financial barriers, the approach shifted to focusing on foundations at KES 50,000-60,000, making the 20% deposit more accessible. While the project faced disruptions during COVID-19, recent funding from the Livelihood Impact Fund (LIF) with support from FSD Kenya has revitalized housing development efforts.

Urban Challenges and Transformation.

Despite these improvement initiatives, Huruma continues to face significant urban challenges. The area struggles with limited access to clean water, electricity, and adequate drainage, posing serious health risks to residents. The densification of the built environment has placed additional pressure on already strained infrastructure networks.

The informal land market in Mathare continues to operate despite tenure uncertainties, facilitating the transition from traditional shacks to multi-story tenements. Land costs in the area decrease near waterways due to flooding risks and potential demolitions, creating a spatial pattern of varying property values based on environmental hazards.