Employees working under the affordable housing program have pleaded with the High Court ruling to stay the Housing Levy enacted to fund the project.
According to employees working in Bahati Nakuru County, the program created employment opportunities and reduced the crime rate, hence fostering peace and security.
They also argued that nullifying the housing levy would be retrogressive as it would result in a mass layoff, thus ballooning the unemployment rate in the country.
"I am proud to be working here. At least I can feed and educate my children. If this project is closed down, we will suffer," one of the employees remarked.
"Through this project, as the youth we have been able to rely on ourselves," another employee remarked.
Additionally, they feared being plunged into financial constraints, especially as the festive season approaches. Parents among the employees emphasised the need for a continuous flow of income to admit their children to school in January.
"We are paid every week which is an improvement since some of us were jobless. I don't know where we will go if it's halted," another lamented.
Notably, the levy was introduced through the Finance Act 2023 to collect funds for the affordable housing project aimed to provide pocket-friendly houses to Kenyans and jobs to the youth.
The levy was, however, declared unconstitutional and discriminatory by the High Court on Tuesday. Despite the ruling, a three-judge -bench allowed the government to collect the levy until January 10, 2024.
"We find that the introduction of the housing levy amendment to section 84 lacks a comprehensive legal framework in violation of Article 10 of the constitution," ruled Justice David Majanja.
The government lauded the court for issuing the conservatory orders allowing the levy to be charged for 45 days, stating that it would use the period to file an appeal at the Court of Appeal.
Responding to the ruling, President William Ruto pledged to respect the High Court ruling, adding that within eight months, the projects had created nearly 120,000 jobs for Kenyans.
When he floated the idea, Ruto assured Kenyans that it would create one million jobs both directly and indirectly, especially for youthful Kenyans.
