288 Kenyan Families to Start Living in Uhuru’s Affordable Homes in September

Transport and Housing CS James Macharia on Thursday disclosed that 288 Kenyan families will begin living in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s affordable housing project in September.

The CS was speaking at Park Road, Nairobi, where he assessed the progress of the 288 homes which are part of the 1st phase of the project. The 1st phase is supposed to house 1,370 units.

Macharia asserted that the project was on course despite spirited attempts by “cartels” out to derail one of the government’s Big Four Agenda.

President Kenyatta had promised 500,000 affordable houses by 2022. Reports indicate that Ksh2.2 trillion has already been mobilized for the project.

Upon completion of the houses that are being constructed by the private sector on government land, they will be purchased by the proposed Housing Fund. 

The houses will then be offered to the registered members at interest rates of between three to seven per cent.

The government has opened an online portal called 'Boma Yangu', where Kenyans who want homes need to register. 

For one to be eligible to own a house, they must be a citizen, be over 18 years of age and have a valid national identity card. 

Furthermore, one must complete his or her profile by submitting personal details and their housing preference.

The government had announced that a lottery system would be applied to determine who was eligible to own a house.

Under the system, the Ministry of Transport and Housing wanted employers to deduct 1.5 per cent of staff basic salaries and remit it to Kenya Revenue Authority beginning May. Employers were expected to match their employees’ contributions.

However, the high court suspended the deduction pending the hearing of a case challenging the levy, after much public outcry.