The Central Regional Coordinator of Affordable Housing, Mr. Albert Muchiri, has said the first phase of the affordable housing project in the Makenji area of Kandara Sub County is expected to be completed by December this year.
On Monday, Muchiri noted the construction of 220 house units is 20 per cent complete and the work progress at the site is on the right trajectory.
He averred that the affordable housing units that sit on two acres have one or two bedrooms as well as bed-sitters.
During a public participation forum held at Murang’a Primary School, the coordinator noted plans to commence construction of affordable houses in the other constituencies are at an advanced stage.
“We are planning to kick-start construction of 1, 000 affordable house units at Gatanga near the high-level area. There are some 400 units at Makuyu in Maragua constituency and 160 units each in both Kiharu and Kangema constituencies,” he explained.
Muchiri observed that the government, through the Ministry of Housing, is searching for suitable land to construct the houses in Mathioya and Kigumo constituencies. “The government’s target is to construct 10, 000 affordable housing units by 2027, and what I can assure is that the progress of this project is good,” he stated.
The coordinator added that, apart from the houses, the government is also investing in associated infrastructure to benefit local residents.
“Some of the associated infrastructure development in areas where the houses are being constructed includes health facilities, schools, and markets, among others. In the Kabati area, we are constructing an administration block and classrooms at Makindi Primary School and also building a new ward at the nearby Makenji Health Centre,” he said.
Muchiri called on residents to support the project, saying it has provided many employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly. “At the Makenji site, more than 300 workers have been employed. There are those who are engaged to supply construction materials and also those selling food to workers,” observed the coordinator.
On his part, Assistant Deputy County Commissioner David Kasyoka, who chaired the public participation event, assured locals all the issues pertaining to the project will be addressed.
Kasyoka noted that some residents have dissenting opinions about the affordable housing project but assured that the relevant government agencies will address the raised issues.
“Some participants have raised some issues, like those who want the government to facilitate them building houses on their farms; there are also those who are not comfortable with the 10 per cent needed for one to secure a house. All these and many other issues will be looked at, and a solution will be attained,” asserted Kasyoka.
By Bernard Munyao
