CS Macharia gives update on ready houses under Big 4 Agenda
The government has committed to deliver an estimated 12,400 units this year under the ambitious affordable housing projects this year.
Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia says some of the projects will be gradually undertaken between March and December as the government embarks on the journey to deliver 500,000 affordable homes to Kenyans under the Affordable Housing Agenda.
He said already 228 units have been delivered at Park Road in Nairobi. An additional 1,142 units are expected to be put up before the end of the year, with other flagship projects set to break ground next month being Starehe, Shauri Moyo and Soweto East in Kibera.
“The identified flagship projects will catalayse the Affordable Housing Programme as the government moves to address challenges that have precipitated Kenya’s chronic shortage of decent and affordable housing,” he said.
Macharia said the State had brought on board 11 strategic partners who had prepared projects ready for ground breaking this year. The earmarked projects will together deliver more than 155,000 housing units in Nairobi Metropolitan and Mombasa county.
“The arrays of these housing initiatives are aimed at promoting sustainable urbanisation and transforming our towns and cities into vibrant economic centres,” the CS said.
The CS made revelations during the launch of the National Urban Forum 2020 in Kisumu recently. “The government is also keen on providing bulk infrastructure using the mega city approach,” he said.
The developments he said will include construction of access roads, power, water and sanitation infrastructure in areas earmarked for the development of affordable homes. The State has also availed land in Athi River for two anchor projects to deliver 240,000 units using the Megacity approach.
“Counties have been provided with funding to prioritise urban infrastructure that will facilitate human settlements under the Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP).
