The county government of Kiambu is gearing up to demolish an entire estate of 200 houses in Ruiru town, which is located on the outskirts of Nairobi City.
A report by the People Daily on Thursday, February 4, indicated that the county, under the leadership of Governor James Nyoro, was seeking to put up a highrise estate on the parcel of land.
The project is expected to include 500 houses, 200 of which would be given back to the current occupants while 300 would be sold to interested home buyers.
The parcel is currently occupied by staff from the defunct municipal council.
The governor noted that the revenue that would be realised from the project would be used to develop a similar project in different parts of the county.
He had also noted that he was determined to explore all avenues to ensure affordable housing for his constituents.
Elijah Njoroge, the County Assembly Chairman in-charge of the Committee on Lands, Physical Planning, Municipality and Housing confirmed that the county was looking to roll out a similar project in Thika town.
“Proceeds of the sale will be spent on construction of another housing project in Thika in bid to improve housing conditions in the vast county,” confirmed Njoroge.
The residents of the estate are elated with the development with most noting that it would accord them decent living.
“We welcome the construction of decent houses that will see us live decently,” stated James Mwangi.
Separately, the national government also revealed that the first batch of 150 tenants will move into the affordable housing units in Pangani in February 2021.
"The first block of 160 units will be handed over in February 2021, nine months after the project began in May 2020.
"The original 48 tenants of the Old Pangani Estate will be part of the group that will take ownership of the new units," Lands, Housing and Urban Renewal Executive Charles Kerich stated.
The projects are part of President Uhuru Kenyatta's Big 4 Agenda.
