On February 20, National Assembly Majority Leader, Kimani Ichung’wah, promised President William Ruto that the two Houses of Parliament would do everything possible to ensure Kenyans were deducted the housing levy on their March salaries.
While laying the Foundation Stone for Talai Affordable Housing Project, in Ainamoi, Kericho County, on Thursday, March 14, Ruto remarked that they had beat the deadline.
He remarked that he would sign the Affordable Housing Bill into law on Saturday, March 16.
This will mean that Kenyans will be deducted 1.5 per cent of their gross income to fund the affordable housing programme.
“We took the Housing Levy to Parliament and they passed it. I want to thank MPs,” he expressed his appreciation to the Ivchung’wah-led team.
The Bill awaits a third reading at the Senate and Ruto was optimistic that this would be achieved on Thursday evening.
During the second reading on Tuesday, March 12, the Bill was passed by Senators after receiving 27 votes in favour, with only 10 senators opposing it.
After the Senate passed the Bill through voting, the statute will need a simple verbal majority approval during the Third Reading.
“Today they (Senate) will finish up on the law and by Saturday I will assent to it so that we hit the ground running to build houses and employ our youth,” Ruto explained how his administration had beat the deadline.
On why the Bill needed to be signed into law in mid-March, Ichung’wah had explained that it was to ensure it was enacted before any company prepared payroll.
“Usually, many corporations both private and public process their payrolls after the 15th of the month, so we hope by March 15, your Excellency (Ruto), you will have assented to the new Affordable Housing Bill,” Ichung’wah had stated then.
While Ruto will not sign on March 15, as earlier promised, he will still beat the deadline as March 16 will fall on a weekend.
