The national government will construct an initial 2,000 units under the affordable housing programme in Murang’a county.
About 300 houses will be constructed in Kenol town, Maragua constituency, while 1,700 will be put up in Makenji near the Thika-Kenol highway in Kandara constituency.
President William Ruto plans to construct 200,000 housing units annually, starting with 5,000 in every county.
Speaking at Karigu-ini grounds, Murang’a, on Sunday, the President announced his plans to ensure housing units are established in the majority of the main towns in the county.
“Next week, we will start with 2,000 units in Murang’a county and we plan to build at least 2,000 units in every locality,” he said.
The programme, he said, will go a long way in reducing food insecurity as it will save agricultural land from settlements and subdivisions.
He instructed Governor Irungu Kang’ata to identify land where the houses will be established, noting that towns such as Kangema, Gatunyu in Gatanga constituency, Kiria-ini in Mathioya constituency, Kabati in Kandara constituency and Kangari in Kigumo will benefit.
Former Governor Mwangi wa Iria had identified 34 acres in Kabati and another four acres in Makenji for the project
The former governor had said his administration would partner to construct 600 affordable housing units. The county was to construct more units in Murang’a town targeting county and national government workers.
Kang’ata said he plans to establish a new level 5 hospital on 1,400 acres ceded by Del Monte fruit processing company, which he said will serve residents and those who will be housed in the new units.
He said once the housing project is rolled out in the county, he will roll out construction of the hospital.
Kenol town and its environs have been experiencing a surge in population as it absorbs overflow from the nearby Thika town and Nairobi city yet it is only served by Makuyu Level 3.
This is despite the high number of accidents reported along the Kenol-Sagana highway, with victims being taken to Murang’a or Thika level 5 hospitals.
With the dualling of Kenol-Sagana-Marua highway, Kenol town has had an even bigger influx of people, putting pressure on its amenities.
“Come do the groundbreaking and we want to assure you that if we go with the pace picked, we will make Murang’a county one of the best in the republic,” Kang’ata said.
Edited by A.N
