Uasin Gishu County residents have been challenged to register and save for the Affordable and Social Housing programme through the Boma Yangu initiative.
Uasin Gishu Governor, Jonathan Bii, said implementation of the Affordable Housing project was no longer a dream, but a reality that will accord every Kenyan a chance to own a house, by saving slowly through Boma yangu.
Dr Bii said the savings will count for the 10 percent deposit required to be allocated a unit, and the successful applicants will pay for the units for up to 14 years.
Speaking, Friday, during the first Jenga Pre-Expo Conference at the KVDA Auditorium in Eldoret, which brought together players in the construction industry, whose theme was ‘affordable climate resilient housing, looking into the future of construction and a smart city,’the Governor said Eldoret was a major beneficiary of the National governments’ Affordable Housing programme.
“The National Government has embarked on the construction of 500,000 Affordable Houses, targeting 200,000 units in every County, but Eldoret town will get a total of 4, 885 housing units, 220 units in Kidiwa, 2260 in Pioneer, 205 in AMS and 2200, while Eldoret Railway city will have 2200 units,” said Dr. Bii.
The theme for this year’s Conference, said the Governor, and resonates with the county’s commitment, to ensure the future is not just affordable housing, but climate-smart housing.
“As we build there is a need to integrate services like energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable solutions in our housing projects, to ensure sustainability for future generations,” he advised.
Governor Bii implored the Affordable Housing contractors, to use locally available construction resources, to empower the local business community, adding that it was gratifying to note that the projects had opened up employment opportunities for those in the Jua Kali sector, who have been successfully making doors and windows for the housing units and earning reliable and a clean income.
The Governor further said to encourage investors in the housing development sector, his Administration was working on creating an enabling environment by realigning its regulatory services, to reduce delays and minimise bureaucracy, to ensure processes of permit issuance and approvals for housing projects are smooth and transparent.
The recent conferment of Eldoret to City status has opened doors for investments and accelerated urbanisation highlighting the demand for Affordable Housing, said the Governor, adding that growth comes with the responsibility of improved infrastructure.
“There is, therefore, need for Affordable Housing and improved social amenities, and to ensure a balanced and sustainable urban environment, there is a need to create an enabling environment for housing developers to invest,” said the Governor
He, however, emphasised that any upcoming infrastructure development, must align with the City regulation plans to prevent the collapse of buildings.
Miss Wanjaa Wamboi, employed at the Kidiwa Housing Project, Soy, Eldoret, Uasin Gishu, demystified the common myth among citizens that Affordable Housing does not create employment, as she gave her account that she gained employment through an Affordable Housing project, where she currently works as a supervisor at the site.
She indicated that the job has provided her with a steady income and an opportunity to gain various skills, such masonry.
She urged people to embrace the Affordable Housing project, as it creates employment and helps build a better country for everyone.
Mr Elijah Kiambati from the Jua Kali sector expressed his appreciation to the President for involving the Jua Kali sector in the Affordable Housing project, noting that it has created many employment opportunities for them.
He highlighted the role of the Jua Kali sector in the project, specifically in crafting the doors and windows, as he encouraged people to visit the site to see the quality of their work firsthand and to ask any questions they may have about the houses.
By Kiptanui Cherono
