By Godffrey Olali and Joshua Ochieng
The State Department for Housing and Urban Development, in collaboration with the Second Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP2), is set to unveil the Kenya Slum Management Information System (KeSMIS), an AI-powered, web and mobile-based platform poised to transform how Kenya manages and upgrades slums and informal settlements.
A first of its kind in the region, KeSMIS will serve as a national geodatabase for slums and informal settlements, offering a centralized repository and intelligent tools for data collection, visualization, and analysis.
The platform promises to revolutionize evidence-based decision-making and improve living conditions for millions of urban residents.
KISIP2, implemented by the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development in partnership with county governments, is jointly funded by the Government of Kenya, the World Bank, the French Development Agency (AFD), and the European Union (EU). The projects target over 1.7 million residents across 81 settlements in 23 counties through tenure, infrastructure upgrades and socio-economic empowerment.
According to the World Bank’s Kenya Urbanization Review (2017), about 60% of urban dwellers live in informal settlements, a situation exacerbated by limited housing supply and affordability. The report emphasizes the need for data-driven systems like KeSMIS to catalyze inclusive urban transformation.
“Many Kenyans are unnecessarily living in slum dwellings because of limited supply and lack of affordability. Systems such as KeSMIS will contribute significantly to improving millions of lives,” the report noted.
KeSMIS integrates artificial intelligence (AI), geospatial analytics, and intuitive user interfaces to address long-standing challenges in urban planning, from land tenure regularization to infrastructure upgrading. The system fosters sustainable, inclusive, and forward-looking urban development.
“KeSMIS is more than a database; it’s a beacon of hope for millions living in dignity-challenged conditions. The platform equips teams with real-time insights to rally efforts, achieve our vision, and ensure equitable access to services — transforming informal settlements into thriving neighbourhoods,” said George Arwa, KISIP2 National Project Coordinator.
Architected as a scalable three-tier web and mobile application, KeSMIS blends a user-friendly interface with robust backend services and intelligent data management. Its enterprise-grade technology stack — featuring modern web frameworks, secure infrastructure, and AI-driven modules — ensures high performance, interoperability, and resilience.
From mobile field agents collecting on-the-ground data to policymakers running complex analytics, the platform supports a complete data lifecycle while prioritizing security, accessibility, and offline functionality.
“KeSMIS is a key tool for improving access to basic services and tenure security. It provides digital mapping capabilities that enable title deed issuance and enhance service delivery,”said Beatriz Eraso Puig, KISIP2 Task Team Leader at the World Bank.
According to Cornel Akach, Head of Institutional Capacity Development for Slum Upgrading at KISIP2, the system is central to the project’s institutional strengthening agenda.
“KeSMIS bridges the gap between data and action. It empowers counties to prevent new slums from emerging while upgrading existing ones, in line with the National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy,” Akach said.
At the heart of KeSMIS are its field-ready tools tailored for Kenya’s settlement realities. GPS-enabled digital forms allow enumerators to conduct household registrations, infrastructure assessments, and demographic surveys — complete with geotagged photos, videos, and audio clips. Built-in real-time validation ensures data completeness and consistency, while offline queuing handles connectivity gaps.
As Kenya’s cities continue to urbanise — with more than 60% of residents living in informal settlements — KeSMIS symbolises a shift from reactive interventions to proactive prevention. The system is expected to enhance transparency, accountability, and coordination across national and county levels.
Officials anticipate full rollout across Phase I counties by mid-2026, alongside capacity-building and training programs for county and community-level users.
“KeSMIS marks a digital revolution in slum upgrading — one that harnesses technology to restore dignity, inform policy, and drive inclusive urban growth,” said Arwa.