The government through the state department of Housing is on course to construct Affordable houses in urban areas to meet the rising demand for shelter across the country.
Antony Ng’ang’a, the Deputy Director in the department said they are working closely with the county governments and other development partners to ensure smooth and timely rolling out of housing projects in the country.
Ng’ang’a said construction is capital intensive and therefore there is a need for public-private partnership ventures to support the realization of the affordable housing agenda.
He cited the successful construction of an integrated human settlement project in Parklands in Nairobi which is set to house 1,370 affordable units which have been allocated to successful bidders through the boma yangu online portal.
The director said the country needs over 300,000 housing units every year and the government is closely working with other key development partners and other relevant government agencies to address the shortage.
Speaking in Olkaria, Naivasha during a tree planning exercise ahead of the World Habitats Day which will be observed on Monday Ng’ang’a said the government was keen to ensure that every citizen has access to an affordable, quality and a decent house to live in.
According to Bernard Maina, the Nakuru County Director of Housing said, they were currently constructing 605 housing units in Bondeni Nakuru which will be ready in 18 months with civil servants set to be among the first beneficiaries.
Maina said the county is set to commence the construction of 2,000 affordable units on its land near Naivasha prison which will help ease the housing pressure in the area.
KenGen Acting Director of Geothermal Development Pekesa Mangi said that the region had been chosen to host the global event due to its commitment in producing clean energy.
He said that they were working closely with the State department of housing through the provision of clean and environmentally friendly energy.
By Erastus Gichohi
