Ten vulnerable families in Machakos County will get decent shelter in the coming months in an ongoing project to build houses through the help of Chief Justice Martha Koome and the Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit NGO.
While speaking during the ground breaking at Kiasa village in Mavoko Sub County, CJ Koome said the house they were constructing was among another 40 houses lined up for construction in the country by the Habitat for Humanity, an NGO she is involved with.
“Habitat for Humanity should be lauded for this milestone, which resonates with the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the Social Transformation through Access Vision that is being pursued by the Judiciary,” said CJ Koome.
She said that her family has fully supported her in the construction and from the moment she was sworn in as CJ, she always aimed to serve the people and improve service delivery.
CJ Koome added that they aimed to develop a people centered justice system that is focused on people’s needs.
“Our presence here today echoes what I said when I was sworn as CJ, that we will not only look inward but outward on how we respond to the needs of the people. We should also work together to improve the delivery of service,” added CJ Koome.
She noted that Habitat for Humanity NGO, began its operations in Kenya in 1982 and is constructing 40 houses across Kenya in the Counties of Machakos, Laikipia, Homa Bay and Tana River.
CJ Koome’s involvement with HFH dates back to the 1990s when she joined a project to build houses for poor families in Chuka, Meru. She has since participated in similar buildings as far as Cambodia together with her husband Koome Kiragu.
On his part Frank Ireri the Board Chairman for HFH, said that anyone could help poor families either by buying nails or iron sheets just to put a smile on their faces.
“The Chief Justice has led by example, putting a smile on a vulnerable family with a decent house. We can all help in our small ways by buying a nail, iron sheets and ultimately building a full house,” said the Board Chair.
Ireri added that the housing problem in Kenya would be solved through collaborative effort by the private sector, the Government and individuals across the country.
According to a 2019 survey by the World Bank, Kenya has an annual housing demand of 250,000 units with an estimated supply of 50,000 units translating to a deficit of 80 per cent.
HFH Kenya is exploring other ways through which it could lower the cost of constructing a house and build more houses for the vulnerable in society.
HFH Kenya is also working with the Architectural Association of Kenya to come up with a model that could cut the cost of constructing a house from Sh1 million to as low as Sh350, 000.
Chief Justice Koome was accompanied by Justice George Odunga of the High Court in Machakos among other dignitaries from the National government, Judiciary and development partners.
By Anne Kangero
