Meru County Affordable Housing projects is on course despite heavy rains in the area.
Speaking during a site visit by officials from the Housing Department including other stakeholders, Engineer Jesse Rukunyi, on behalf of the Agrobriq Investment Contractors for Meru 2, said the project was on course, and they were contended with the progress.
He said they were privileged to be part of the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda team that was working to improve the livelihoods of the people of Meru through the project.
“Today we are engaging with the stakeholders that have come together to ensure the success of the project from the consultants, architects, and engineers to ensure we are guided and whatever we do meets the required standards and deliver what has been mandated to us by the government of Kenya as the contractors,” said Engineer Rukunyi.
He said so far, the project was at 16 percent completion and they were looking forward to its completion as soon as possible tentatively by January 2026.
In addition, Engineer Rukunyi said the government has been supportive and keen on supporting contractors to ensure the objectives mandated to them are completed.
Considering that job creation is a key component of the project, Engineer Rukunyi added that they have so far engaged labour from different categories of people where 86 locals are on site as they are direct beneficiaries of the project.
“The number of workers may rise depending on the work that is going on,” said Rukunyi.
In terms of education and mentorship, Rukunyi said they have students learning from various institutions including Meru National Polytechnic where they are trying to give back through education.
“We are also offering students internships and attachments and at the end of the project we will have something to give back to the people of Meru with regards to education,” said Engineer Rukunyi.
Imenti North Deputy County Commissioner Odilliah Ndeti said the government appreciates the work that is going on through the affordable housing scheme and the contractor is on schedule to deliver the houses as per the contract documents.
She said people around have been asking how they can buy the houses and they have been directed to the Housing Department and the expectation is that when they are advertised the locals will buy them and benefit from the initiative.
“We are asking the contractor to keep up with the standards as we have all the engineers involved from the structural, civil, and electrical engineers who have been visiting and giving their inputs.
“We also have qualified professionals who are working hand in hand with the contractor to ensure all the standards are met,” said Ms Ndeti.
She added that the government has no doubts the building meets the required standards and the client is very keen to deliver to the government because workers have invested so much in the project.
“The local people including masons, carpenters among others have benefited and we have seen a few of the service providers who have gotten jobs within this project which means this is an economic booster for this area,” said Ms Ndeti.
Architect Bisher Fawaz the team leader for the Meru two project said they have social and market units, as well as one, two, and three-bedroom units as well as studio units with sizes ranging from 20 to 60 square metres.
He said the complex has been designed with international standards in mind for affordable housing which will enable the users to enjoy the spaces and be able to meet the needs of the housing units.
“The complex which has 220 units is designed in a sustainable way where the users do not have to go far in terms of shopping and play areas for their children,” said Mr Fawaz.
Mr Nicholus Bundi, one of the locals working at the site thanked the government for initiating the project saying it has helped him to get food for the family as well as school fees for his children.
“The money I get from here goes to the upkeep of my family and I would pray that the government continues with such initiatives since many young people who were initially jobless have been employed through the project and earning good money,” said Mr Bundi.
He called on other young people to take advantage of the job avenues opened by the government through various initiatives instead of complaining about joblessness.
By Dickson Mwiti
