The Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) championed by the national government seeks to create opportunities for better living conditions.
The right to housing is embedded in the constitution providing that every person has the right to accessible and adequate housing.
John Karanja Coast Region Coordinator for Housing says AHP is not just providing housing but creating opportunities for better living conditions for low-income families.
Karanja says the demand for decent shelter in the country still remains very high which is why the government came up with the ongoing ambitious housing projects to tackle the housing crisis in urban centres.
The senior housing official says the quest for affordable and sustainable housing in the country is a crucial topic that touches the lives of many, especially those in the low-income bracket.
Karanja stated that a decent and affordable housing project serves as a catalyst for economic development in the 47 counties, job creation and poverty alleviation.
“The affordable housing program is crucial in building resilient communities where when all is said and done every person has a place to call home,” he said.
Karanja was speaking to the press in Kwale after leading a regional technical committee to assess the status of the affordable housing projects established in the region.
He says the tour was to get a firsthand assessment of the various affordable housing projects undertaken by the government in Kwale and expressed enthusiasm about the progress and potential impact of the projects.
“The affordable housing efforts will in the long run benefit communities by improving the quality of life, enhanced urban development, social cohesion, and economic opportunities,” he said.
After touring the housing sites the technical committee expressed satisfaction with the quality of work and progress which are all in phase 1.
He says the rent-to-own housing schemes which seek to reduce the country’s housing deficit will have associated infrastructure such as internal road network, electricity, water, sports facilities, shopping centers, schools and clinics to make the estates more habitable.
He says the proposed housing sites in Kwale County include Survey Camp 200 units, Diani Whitehouse 200 units and Mabokoni Smart City 1000 units and the construction of the Diani modern fresh produce market.
The construction of the Sh200 million Diani produce market aims at ensuring that the local traders across the coastal county have access to a conducive business environment, to ensure smooth flow of business activities which will in turn boost the county’s revenue collection.
Karanja who was accompanied by Kwale Director of Housing Ezekiel Muiruri stated that the State Department for Housing and Urban Development is determined to complete all the multibillion shilling projects within the specified time frame.
“For example, we expect all the housing projects in Kwale town which kicked off in earnest in July 2024 to be completed by December 2025,” he said, adding that the housing units will have a long-life span.
Karaja noted that although funding of housing projects is a major headache the state is nonetheless committed to increase the housing stock and bridge the national housing deficit.
Governor Fatuma Achani says Kwale will collaborate with the national government and other stakeholders so as to comprehensively address the housing deficit in the region.
The coastal county boss also expressed her satisfaction with the progress of the projects and urged the contractors to meet set timelines so that people can have use of the houses and markets as quickly as possible.
“We are confident that these houses, once complete, will set a new standard for affordable housing in the country by providing quality and cost-effective living spaces for our people,” she said.
Achani revealed that hundreds of job opportunities for youths have been created from the housing project thus improving the livelihoods of families across the county.
According to her, the construction of new homes and other major infrastructure projects in urban areas will drive development and investment opportunities in the counties.
President William Ruto who launched the Kwale affordable housing projects in July 2024 restated the government’s commitment to providing affordable housing for Kenyans and moving closer to the vision of housing for all and improving their welfare.
By Hussein Abdullahi
