Residents of Kisii County have implored the government to prioritise the locals as contractors, suppliers of materials, workers, and owners of the Affordable Housing Programme.
Speaking after a public participation on Affordable Housing Regulations 2024 at Kisii Cultural Hall in Kisii town, Nyanza Region Director of Housing and Urban Development, Jared Buoga, said the residents sought priority during the entire period of constructing affordable houses in the region.
“The participants were very particular that a proportion of 30 per cent should go to them as local residents to own these houses before the process is opened to the rest of the public,” noted Mr. Buoga.
In addition, the Director pointed out that the residents were concerned about the ownership of the houses and the process of converting the land from the public to a private individual to enjoy the benefits.
He pointed out that the Sectional Properties Act has clear stipulations on how the land is converted from the public to the affordable housing programme, and the mother title is registered with the state agency in charge of affordable housing on behalf of the National Treasury.
“The mother title will then produce the second title given to the individuals upon completion of the unit, and the owner will enjoy the benefits that come with it, such as using it as collateral to access a loan, sell the house, transfer the property from one person to another, and so forth,” explained the Director.
Buoga added that they had handed over sites to contractors in the Nyanchwa, Ogembo, and Ekerubo regions of Kisii, where a total of 540 affordable houses were to be constructed within a period of one year.
He said the input from the participants were very valid, and they had been taken up for consideration so that the National Secretariat could effectively use it to enrich the regulations.
Apart from affordable housing projects, he added, they had handed over two markets, Mogweko and Motonto, to contractors to commence the work that is being funded by the Affordable Housing Fund.
“We laud the government for allocating these projects in Kisii, and the modern markets will have cold rooms, ICT hubs, lactation centres, and clean circulation areas that can accommodate between 200-500 traders,” concluded Buoga.
Nominated Member of Kisii County Assembly Lilian Gor, who attended the forum, commended the project for ensuring any Kenyan was eligible for the houses as long as they were able to pay a 10 per cent deposit of the value of the house and subsequently make payments for the house they acquire.
She urged the private developers implementing the project to incorporate the youth, women, and persons living with disabilities (PLWDs) by tapping into their skills in terms of employment or sub-contracts.
“As Kisii County, we are supporting the President’s affordable housing agenda as it will provide decent housing to low-income families,” added another participant, David Onsongo.
By Mercy Osongo
