County to construct 2,000 affordable houses for rural poor

About 2,000 Murang’a residents from poor backgrounds are set to benefit from affordable housing units from the county government to save them from effects of adverse weather.
Through the programme set to run to 2022, the county intends to set up a two-roomed permanent house at a minimum cost of as low as Sh100, 000 per unit.
Residents will only provide land and labour where stabilized blocks house units will be constructed.
They will then be required to repay the County in installments spread across the years.
“We shall draft a long term repaying plan where beneficiaries would repay the cost in installments. We will partner with professionals, technical institutions and private entities to make this plan a success,” said the County Lands and Housing county executive Sarah Masaki.
She was speaking during an exhibition by Fahari homes held at Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Thika town Saturday, where they showcased their wares and expertise in an expo that is scheduled for one week.
The CEC said the move would improve the county’s housing infrastructure in the rural areas and provide residents with good shelter.
Murang’a County is known for timber houses with some residents being unlucky as their houses cave in during heavy rains.
Two years ago, an elderly woman died and property of unknown value was destroyed after their house curved in in Kigumo constituency following a landslide caused by heavy rains.
Masaki noted that the initiative would help the government in achieving its agenda four on housing and called on residents to embrace the opportunity saying it was cheap.
She noted that the country has a shortage of two million housing units with the deficit growing annually by an additional 200,000 house units
“The revolving fund would help in addressing housing challenges in the rural areas. We hope to shelter the would be beneficiaries from the effects of floods that are common in the region,” said the county executive.
By Muoki Charles