Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga, on Tuesday, April 25, clarified that the 3 per cent monthly salary deductions were not mandatory, as alluded to by President William Ruto.
While speaking during an interview on KTN News, the PS explained that Ruto's sentiments were taken out of context and misunderstood.
He added that the salary deduction proposed to facilitate the Housing Fund would be voluntary, with each government employee choosing whether to contribute or not.
Nonetheless, the PS expressed that Ruto's Housing Fund was a solid initiative and could benefit government employees in the long term.
"He (Ruto) did not say we shall deduct the money tomorrow. He said that civil servants can elect to start contributions. If you contribute Ksh10,000, the government gives you another Ksh10,000 as your money.
"That is what the President meant. It is voluntary as we speak. It is not mandatory," the PS clarified.
On the other hand, he detailed that contributors to the fund would be refunded if they failed to get a house. Hinga acknowledged a high demand for affordable houses, yet the supply was low.
"The other question people who own homes ask themselves is why they should contribute, yet they have homes. We are asking you to save money so that we solve this social problem of housing.
"After seven years and you have not gotten a house, you have the right to pull out the money and transfer it to your pension," he added.
Ruto, on Sunday, April 23, announced that government employees would part ways with 3 per cent of their salary for the Housing Fund.
"Every Kenyan will be able to contribute 3 per cent of their salary towards affordable housing. For every 3 per cent someone saves, the employer will be required by law to save an extra 3 per cent.
"As a government, we will be at the forefront in implementing this. For all government employees - approximately 700,000 - we will be saving 3 per cent for them after they have made their own 3 per cent contribution," Ruto announced.
However, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) led other unions in criticising the lack of consultation between the government and the employees.
The unions explained that their members were already overwhelmed with numerous deductions.
