After years of admonishing the government for undertaking the Affordable Housing Programme, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga seems to be endorsing it. ODM leader Raila Odinga (left) engaging President William Ruto in a handshake in February this year. Photo: William Ruto. Source: Twitter Raila had earlier faulted the pet project of President William Ruto for being under the national government, arguing that it ought to be a function of the county government. Where did Raila donate land? However, on Thursday, May 29, Ruto revealed that Raila had given up a tract from his family’s vast land to allow for the construction of housing units.
The president, while addressing residents of Kisumu, in the presence of Raila and other local leaders, expressed gratitude to the veteran politician, yet again underscoring their camaraderie after years of political enmity. The donated land is expected to host at least 750 units in the Makasembo Estate. “Today, I have come to Kisumu with Raila to launch another affordable housing programme, through which we will build 750 additional houses. Raila Odinga has given us five acres of his land so that we can build affordable housing for the people of Kisumu to benefit. On behalf of the government of Kenya, I thank Raila Odinga for donating the land to us,” the president said. Raila accompanied the president in inspecting the completed projects in the county. Subscribe to watch new videos Why Raila supports Affordable Housing Programme Raila, while acknowledging the plan, said it would help enhance the economy of the region.
He noted that the housing programme is essential, as its actualisation would guarantee the basic needs of the public. Besides, the programme was going to generate employment and other subsidiary ventures that would earn locals income. “This is a progressive government project. Because we all know that a human has five basic needs; the right to life, food, shelter, health and education. The Affordable Housing Programme covers all that, and it will also generate jobs for our people. We want to eradicate poverty in this region,” Raila said. Raila’s lenience on the programme came after his reservations on it. Workers at an affordable housing construction site. Photo: William Ruto. Source: Twitter Besides advocating for housing to be left for the counties, the ODM leader is on record faulting a specific tax regime which the president introduced to fund the programme. Raila wondered why all Kenyans’ payslips were being raided, yet not all would be handed the houses. Why Ruto has held onto affordable housing programme
Despite the opposition to housing and the setbacks he has suffered in court against the programme, Ruto has lived to insist that the plan would change the lives of Kenyans. According to him, by the end of his tenure in office, every Kenyan will have a dignified shelter. He said the housing programme would eradicate the slums in the near future. For instance, in Nairobi’s Kibera slums, the government intends to put up at least 40,000 units to house the population there. The president targets hundreds of thousands of units by the end of the 2027/28 fiscal year.
By Kai Eli
