A widow from Laikipia has benefitted with a housing unit in commemoration of the 39th President of the United States of America, Jimmy Carter who died last month.
The house was launched on Monday in Naibor by Habitat for Humanity Kenya, an organisation which Carter was the patron.
Speaking during the construction, Rebbeca Ekale who is a mother of seven could not hide her joy noting that she had faced a lot of challenges from the previous house she owned.
“I am happy with what Habitat for Humanity is doing for us here in Laikipia. When they came to assess my house it was leaking during rainy days. I constructed another muddy house and it had collapsed,” revealed Ekale.
She pointed out that the new house which is expected to be complete within a span of a week would be a major boost to her family.
The housing unit was being constructed by a passionate Global Volunteer Team from Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity, USA in collaboration with their Kenyan partners.
Laikipia governor Joshua Irungu said that constructing the social houses to vulnerable households was embodiment of the true spirit of Carter who birthed the initiative to have everyone a place to call home.
“As it is on record, President Carter began their partnership with Habitat for Humanity in 1984 and since then, their efforts have been nothing short of transformative. It has made an indelible mark on communities across the globe and it is fitting that we come together today to honour his legacy through this act of service,’’ said the governor.
At the same time, Irungu pointed out that more than 30 percent of residents lacked permanent homes hence the move aimed to bridge the housing gap in the county and at the same time improve the lives of the locals.
“If we partner to construct dignified houses for our people, it would solve a lot of problems associated with poor housing. At the same time it will boost development to this area and the benefiting family,” noted the county boss.
He added that ‘’we are happy of this initiative since in Laikipia, we have more than 30 percent of people who doesn’t have a place they can call a home.’’
The governor noted that construction of social houses to residents was in line with the Bottom Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) that seeks to ensure Kenyans have decent houses.
Irungu at the same time said that decent houses would address respiratory diseases associated with bad housing and curb human wildlife conflicts in the area which is inhabited by animals.
“We are aware this area is inhibited by human-wildlife conflict and with the temporary houses, it poses a danger to residents, however, the houses we are constructing, they would deter the menace,” said the governor.
Habitat for Humanity Kenya director Margaret Mengo revealed that they targeted to construct decent houses for widows, single mothers and Persons with Disabilities in the county since they were the most vulnerable and underrepresented.
“Our focus are people from the lowest cadre and who have nothing including single mothers, Persons with disabilities and widows because they are underrepresented,” revealed the director
Mengo said she they started the construction of houses; they had done more than 100 in Laikipia and hence called on partnership to fill the housing deficit in the country.
Gender advisor in the office of the president Harriet Chigai, reiterated that widows faced a lot of challenges once their spouses’ died hence the need to embrace and support them.
She noted that the government was committed to building affordable and dignified houses for Kenyans to insure they lived in a clean environment.
Chigai noted that empowering women in the society would boost development.
Carter died in December aged 100 years.
By Muturi Mwangi
