Ruto hits out at judges over ruling on Housing Levy, threatens to appeal court’s decision

President William Ruto has announced that his administration will appeal the court's decision to halt the Housing Levy program.

Addressing residents in Mutuati Market in Igembe North, Meru County on Friday, January 26, 2024, the Head of State hit out at the Court of Appeal over its decision to suspend the Housing Levy terming it a plan to sabotage the government's plan for the youth.

While criticizing the court over the decision, the president assured Kenyans that the government was creating a law to protect the project which he says will create job opportunities for every youth.

He further stressed that regardless of the outcome, he would still proceed with the housing plan until every youth in the country secures employment.

"Pale kwa housing tunahitaji architect, mason, plumbing, engineer, awatu wa makampuni ya simiti na chuma, tunapanga kuhakikisha vijana 300,000 watapata ajira kabla ya mwisho wa mwaka huu ndio tuhakikishe kwamba vijana wetu wako na ajira, kwa sababu kuna wengine wanatuletea kisirani, wanataka tuendelee kua na hawa vijana wanahangaika barabarani na madukani. Ati kuna watu wameenda kortini kusimamisha mambo ya housing, sisi tumeambia wale wako kortini tunaheshimu mahakama na tutaenda kufanya appeal na tutatengeneza sheria ili mambo ya vijana wa Kenya ajira ipatikane," Ruto said.

Ruto hailed the project saying it is the first time an administration has actually demonstrated and laid out a clear plan to eradicate the country's unemployment crisis since the country became a republic.

"Vijana mamilioni wanahangaika madukani na kijijini kwa sababu wamemaliza shule lakini hakuna mpango ya vile watapata ajira. It is the first time in the republic of Kenya that we have an administration that has a clear, demonstrable and practicle plan on how to create job opportunities for the young people of Kenya, because we have millions of young people posing existential threat to our republic unless we do something about their employment," he added.

Ruto's remarks came shortly after the Court of Appeal suspended the Housing Levy saying its unconstitutional.

In the ruling rendered by Justices Lydia Achode, John Mativo and Mwaniki Gachoka, the court said the Housing Levy will remain suspended until an ongoing appeal is heard and determined.

“In our view, public interest lies in awaiting the determination of the appeal. This is because if the stay sought is granted at this stage, should the appellate court affirm the impugned decision, then some far-reaching decisions that will have been undertaken pursuant to the impugned laws may not be reversible,

"...we direct that the appeals be heard expeditiously so that the issues raised in the appeals can be resolved with finality," the judges ruled.