Ruto urged to make housing units affordable for hustlers

Homa Bay residents have urged President William Ruto to consider the hustlers when his government distributes units of affordable housing projects.

The Kenya Kwanza government is building 400 units of affordable houses in Homa Bay town.

During public participation on the Affordable Housing Bill 2023, most residents asked the Kenya Kwanza government to gazette affordable prices which will enable low-income earners to own units in the houses.

National Assembly Finance and National Planning Committee led by its chairman Kuria Kimani on Friday collected views of the people in Homa Bay town,

Homa Bay Giant Traders Association chairman Jack Nyambega argued that President Ruto promised Kenyans with low income that he would ensure they own good houses if elected.

Nyambega said it would be wrong if the government gazettes prices which the poor cannot afford.

“Many people who are hustlers believed in President Ruto and voted for him because they were promised houses. Let the government consider the hustlers in the distribution of units of these houses by making them affordable,” Nyambega said.

Speaking at the site, the residents also asked the government to come up with policies where the rich cannot own more units at the expense of the poor.

Ben Odipo argued that there are rich people who will conspire with the poor to own the units through proxies.

“We want the government to be wary of cartels who will use others to acquire the units and leave out the suffering common man,” Odipo said.

The residents also want the government to make the housing levy taxes optional for Kenyans who are employed.

Speaker of Homa Bay Bunge la Wenye Nchi Walter Opiyo said some people already have houses hence they should not be taxed for construction of the affordable houses.

“If you already have a house, why should the government tax you a gain for the housing levy? This should be optional for Kenyans,” Opiyo said.

Kimani said they are going to use the residents’ views alongside the views of other Kenyans to compile a report in the next week.

The report will be tabled in the National Assembly for MPs to approve or reject.

“The concern we have got in Homa Bay is that people feel the percentage has been set aside for slums is inadequate. We are going for a retreat in the next week to compile a report that will be tabled in Parliament. I hope MPs will approve the report,” Kimani said.