Sakaja promises affordable houses to Nairobi MCAs
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has promised affordable houses to all Nairobi Members of County Assembly (MCAs).
Speaking during the State of Nairobi City address, Sakaja said that he would ensure that members of the Nairobi City County executive would get affordable houses being built in Nairobi.
Also, the governor promised that those who have been staying where the affordable houses will be built could be excused from paying for the new houses.
"Through your speaker, together with your leadership of minority, majority and the whips, I am committed to ensuring that every one of you in this assembly, as well as the executive, get to own a house in the City of Nairobi," Sakaja added.
"I know that many of you have been involved in the consultations around the various redevelopment projects—whether in Woodley, in Jericho 1 and 2, in Bahati in Ziwani, in Maringo in Kariobangi North or elsewhere. I’m grateful for your patience."
Sakaja on dignity
According to Sakaja, much of the housing in Nairobi does not reflect dignity, hence the need to do away with slums in the city.
"Much of Nairobi’s housing does not dignify our people. Our families deserve to live in houses with separate rooms for their children, and with private bathrooms for their parents. Our Urban Renewal and Affordable Housing plan makes it possible for us to begin building the dignified homes that our people deserve," Sakaja said.
"Earlier this year, I said that long-term residents of Nairobi’s public housing would be able to convert their past rent payments into payment for the new homes. That offer still stands, and it will be formalised because our urban regeneration plan will continue."
Sakaja revealed that the World Bank, through the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, has helped with financing for two major projects of improvement in the informal settlements.
"The procurement for the first round, a sum of Ksh557,000,000, closed last month. The identified sites— in Embakasi, Kayole Soweto, Kahawa Soweto, Mji wa Huruma and Kambi Moto in Huruma—will be taken over by the administration next month, and work will begin. We will dignify those who now endure difficult conditions in our informal settlements," he added.
Sakaja also said that he had issued more than three thousand titles and leases to Nairobians long unjustly deprived of their property.
"In every part of the county, we have listened to you carefully; we have taken your concerns on board. We will continue to do so while we hasten construction and redevelopment so that, eventually, every family in Nairobi has a home that dignifies them. When it comes to housing, we are keeping our promises," Sakaja stated.
