The Sh45 billion housing and market projects in the North Rift are on schedule to be completed ahead of President William Ruto’s Mashujaa Day tour.
Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said the projects were progressing as planned after inspecting affordable housing developments, modern markets and student accommodation facilities in Uasin Gishu and Nandi counties.
Some of the projects are expected to be commissioned by President Ruto during the Mashujaa Day celebrations in October.
Speaking in Eldoret after a two-day inspection tour, Hinga urged Kenyans to ignore critics of the Affordable Housing Programme, insisting the projects were on course across the country.
“In this region we are investing more than Sh45 billion in key projects, including affordable housing and markets in various areas,” Hinga said.
He said 8,807 housing units had already been completed nationally, while more than 270,000 others were at different stages of construction.
The government is also constructing about 23,200 institutional and staff housing units, alongside 37,347 student housing units that will accommodate an estimated 130,713 students.
Hinga was accompanied by Affordable Housing Board CEO Joe Mutugu, Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii and other elected leaders.
“The government has provided you with an opportunity to become a homeowner regardless of your socio-economic background. Don’t listen to fake declarations by politicians. Some of them praised this programme when they were in government but now tell people not to buy houses. They only serve their own selfish interests,” he said.
The PS expressed confidence that projects in the two counties would be completed within the set timelines ahead of the October celebrations.
The delegation inspected Kesses ESP Market, Matharu ESP Market and the Eldoret 64 Modern Market.
Hinga said the Eldoret market, designed to accommodate more than 1,000 traders, would include a social hall, ICT centre, lactation room, children’s play area, cold storage facilities and improved sanitation.
The team also toured the Pioneer Affordable Housing Project, which will deliver 2,252 units, Kidiwa Phase One with 220 units, Kidiwa Phase Two with 1,800 units, Eldoret Railway City with 2,231 units and the Kimumu Affordable Housing Project with 226 units.
Mutugu said the housing levy had enabled the board to accelerate delivery of housing and market projects.
“The levy has helped the board achieve tangible results where 2,685 affordable housing units, 4,680 student housing units and 15 modern and ESP markets are under construction in Nandi county alone,” he said.
He added that the projects had created employment opportunities for local workers, contractors and artisans in the Jua Kali sector supplying construction materials such as doors and windows.
Mutugu said the board is financing 24 projects worth about Sh15.7 billion in Nandi county.
The delegation began its Nandi tour at the Kaiboi Polytechnic student village, which will provide accommodation for 1,020 students, before inspecting Kaiboi ESP Market, Mosoriot ESP Market and the Mosoriot KMTC student village, which will house 580 students.
Hinga said investment in student accommodation would improve living conditions for learners who have long struggled with hostel shortages.
“For long, university, college and polytechnic students have grappled with a shortage of hostels, forcing many to live in informal settlements where they are exposed to drug abuse and sexual harassment. We must ensure our students have decent places to live. This isn’t a privilege. We owe them that much,” he said.
Construction is also underway at Kapsabet Modern Market, which will accommodate 1,000 traders, as well as similar markets in Nandi Hills, Kaptumo and Kabujoi.
Mutugu encouraged residents to register on the Boma Yangu platform to access affordable housing units under upcoming projects in Kaptumo, Nandi Hills and Chesumei.
President Ruto is expected to tour the region ahead of the Mashujaa Day celebrations, which will be held at Kipchoge Stadium in Eldoret on October 20.
