The government has awarded some 56 multimillion-shilling contracts for the construction of 26,214 affordable housing units across the country as part of efforts to address a deficit of low-cost homes.
A report submitted to Parliament shows that by March 2023, 14 out of the 47 counties had set aside 266 hectares of land for the construction of about 52,847 affordable houses.
The report shows that 56 bidders were awarded contracts to build low-cost homes on 158 hectares of land in 10 of the counties. The State aims to roll out the programme in all 290 constituencies.
“108 hectares did not attract developers due to the non-existence of horizontal infrastructure and conflict with the neighbourhood developments,” read the report.
The government has maintained that the aggressive focus on the construction of houses will have a multiplier effect on the economy by creating jobs and stimulating the growth of key sectors, especially manufacturing and real estate.
The Kenya Kwanza government introduced a mandatory housing levy of 1.5 percent through the Finance Act, of 2023 to finance the programme. – Business Daily
