The government, headed by President William Ruto, is in the process of unveiling an ambitious project to support counties develop their own cities.
The revelation was made via a statement by the State Department for Housing and Urban Development Permanent Secretary (PS) Charles Hinga dated Tuesday, January 10.
“The department is committed to supporting counties in planning their cities and facilitating projects that fall under national government mandate,” the PS stated.
“This will be possible because of the existing direct link between the counties and the State Department as far as rolling out projects is concerned,” Hinga added
The PS also held a meeting with Siaya Governor James Orengo who had paid him a courtesy call aimed at fostering the relationship between the county governments and national governments.
Hinga revealed that the direct link was necessitated by the national government’s commitment to enhancing service delivery for Kenyans.
To make the program possible, the PS urged county governments to continue availing land to the national government for development.
He commended counties that had already given out land for the Affordable Housing Program and congratulated Orengo for availing 6 acres for the same.
“We will improve partnerships with Siaya County in the Affordable Housing Program and economic stimulus project support.
“Other partnerships include financing ongoing works such as rehabilitation of access roads, sewer lines, and other socio-economic infrastructural projects,” Hinga remarked.
President William Ruto will tour Siaya and Homabay counties on Saturday, January 14, to launch the Affordable Housing Programme as well as attend Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy CS Eliud Owalo’s homecoming.
The President has launched similar programs in Machakos county.
On January 9, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga created four municipalities in what she termed as a way to encourage national government investment in the region. The new municipalities include; Kendu Bay, Ndhiwa, Mbita, and Oyugis.
“The steady rise in population in these towns and inadequate resources make it difficult for people to live in them.
"Elevation of the towns to municipalities makes them autonomous and they can get national government support and donor funding for growth,” Wanga remarked.
The elevation of the towns as municipalities was timely as some were pegged to benefit from the Affordable Housing program.
"President William Ruto will launch the first phase of the 5,000 affordable housing program for Homa Bay County. The project is expected to not only alleviate the housing deficit in the county, but also significantly boost the local economy. The project will ultimately cover several towns - Oyugis, Kendu Bay, and Mbita," a statement from State House on Thursday, January 12, read in part.
Apart from creating modern cities in Kenyan counties, the program will create thousands of jobs for Kenyans.
"Housing parts such as doors, windows, gates, and hinges will be supplied by local Jua Kali associations.
"This will boost the local economy and put money in the pockets of hustlers in Homa Bay. Jua Kali enterprises will expand and create jobs and wealth for the three million people in the sub-sector," the government announced further.
