The Garissa County Rural and Urban Affordable Housing Committee has been asked to ensure projects in the county are implemented transparently, fairly and in line with required standards.
The call came from Governor Nathif Jama who tasked the four-member committee with the responsibility of overseeing the implementation of affordable housing projects and ensuring it only the intended beneficiaries benefit.
Speaking at his office in Garissa after overseeing the swearing-in of the committee members, Jama said the team’s mandate was particularly important given the growing number of affordable housing projects being undertaken across the county.
“This committee has the huge responsibility of ensuring that these projects are implemented properly, constructed to the required standards and distributed fairly. Most importantly, the committee must ensure that the beneficiaries are the right people,” Jama said.
The committee is chaired by Abdi Ali withy Mohamed Abdi, Bishara Elyas and Magol Muhyadin as members.
The four members were vetted by the Garissa county assembly and subsequently approved to take up the role.
Jama described the swearing-in as a significant milestone, saying the county now has a fully constituted and functional committee capable of undertaking its statutory responsibilities.
“Today is a happy day because we are now able to undertake the activities, functions and responsibilities of this committee because you are now on board. We now have a full and functional committee,” he said.
The governor said affordable housing remains an important national development programme spearheaded by the national government.
“Affordable housing is a major development initiative in the country, and as a county, we are major beneficiaries of the programme,” Jama said.
He said several projects are either under construction or in the pipeline across the county.
Among the projects is the construction of 408 affordable housing units in Garissa Township, with approximately 70 per cent of the units already completed.
Another 456 units are being constructed at Garissa Police Lines, while a similar affordable housing development is planned at Garissa University.
Jama also said land for another affordable housing project had recently been identified and handed over to the national government to facilitate the commencement of construction.
The affordable housing programme is also being rolled out in other parts of the county, including Masalani, with additional projects expected to be initiated in other areas.
Beyond residential units, Jama said the programme also encompasses construction of modern markets. Garissa already has one such market, with additional markets planned in other parts of the county.
Jama said the expanding programme makes the committee’s oversight role even more critical, particularly in ensuring that public projects are delivered according to specifications and that opportunities are equitably distributed.
He urged the committee members to approach their responsibilities with integrity and accountability, saying they had been selected after undergoing a rigorous vetting process.
Abdi Ali acknowledged that the task ahead would be challenging, particularly because the affordable housing programme represents a relatively new area of responsibility at the county level.
“The task ahead is not easy. This is a new phenomenon and a new project being undertaken to ensure that affordable housing is implemented properly in Garissa county,” he said.
“Our responsibility is to ensure transparency and accountability, and to ensure that the houses being constructed are built to the required standards and that all the necessary procedures are properly undertaken,” Ali said.
The committee will also provide overall oversight, monitor the progress of projects and advise the county government on matters necessary to ensure the success of the affordable housing initiative.
Ali said the committee will work to ensure that residents enjoy the same opportunities available to Kenyans in other parts of the country.
“Our main focus is to work in cooperation with the county government and the governor to support the initiative on affordable housing. We intend to ensure that the privilege being given to other Kenyans across the country is also extended to the people of Garissa,” he said.
