President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday, December 15, launched a mega housing project for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in Nairobi.
During the commissioning, the Head of State announced that 3,500 housing units will be constructed in Roysambu, Nairobi County, adding that the move was aimed at solving the housing problem within the disciplined forces.
Uhuru added that the project will be undertaken as part of his Big Four projects to ensure the units are completed on time.
“For a long time, we have been exploring ways of addressing the housing problem and we are happy that we have now found a solution through construction of the houses under Public Private Partnership.”
“I am confident that this project will be implemented according to the set down plan to ensure that within a short time all our officers and their families have decent accommodation,” noted the Head of State.
Further, State House revealed that similar projects will be undertaken in three other counties, adding that the first phase will begin in Nairobi before being rolled out to other parts of the country.
"The houses to be developed on a Build, Lease, and Transfer (BLT) arrangement will be constructed on KDF land in Roysambu (Nairobi), Kwambuzi in Nanyuki (Laikipia), Nyali (Mombasa) and Gilgil (Nakuru)," read the State House statement.
Additionally, State House affirmed Uhuru's resolve in improving the living standards of soldiers in the country citing the numerous healthcare projects he had undertaken during his term in office.
"The recent launch of the construction of a Level IV Hospital at Kahawa Garrison and the upgrading of the Kenya Defence Forces Memorial Hospital in Nairobi are some of the projects intended to boost the welfare and morale of KDF troops besides the provision of modern equipment to enable them to execute their mandate effectively."
On his part, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Robert Kibochi, noted that the projects will offer them an opportunity to give the dedicated officers a decent place to live during their deployment.
“I must, on behalf of the entire KDF, thank you Your Excellency for the support and guidance you have given us in terms of reaching this point where we are having to construct over 3,000 houses, in five regions of our country,” Kibicho stated.
