[PHOTOS] Construction workers protest ruling on housing levy collection

Construction workers on Tuesday took to the streets to support the Affordable Housing Project. 

The construction workers were gathered at the Milimani Law courts in Nairobi where they held peaceful protests in support of the housing program. 

Police officers tried to disperse the crowd by lobbing teargas canisters against them. 

The construction workers said the recent ruling by the court to stop the government from collecting the housing levy might put them out of work. 

The Court of Appeal on Friday declined to suspend orders barring the state from deducting housing levy from Kenyans.

Justices Lydia Achode, John Mativo and Gatembu Kairu in declining the state's application, said public interest lies in awaiting the determination of the appeal.

"This is because if the stay sought is granted at the stage, should we affirm the challenged decision, then some far-reaching decisions that will have been undertaken pursuant to the challenged laws may not be reversible," they said. 

"Public interest in our view tilts favour of in not granting the stay or the suspension sought." 

They said it is in the public interest that the appeals first be heard.

This, therefore, meant that the housing levy remains suspended as declared by the High Court.