Kenyans in dark after low cost housing rules passed

Kenyans have been left guessing after officials declined to make public the guidelines for the State’s affordable housing scheme.

On Thursday, the Cabinet approved rules to guide participation of investors, contributors and beneficiaries of the about one million low-cost homes that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration has sought to provide within the next five years.

The guidelines also set standards for financing, costing and design to ensure the houses are of high quality and affordable.

Housing officials, however, said the earliest Kenyans can get the finer details is later this week.

“The guidelines are now at the Attorney-General’s office. They will be released to the public next week,” Housing PS Charles Hinga told the Business Daily via phone.

Officials had earlier indicated that 80 per cent of the low-cost houses (800,000 units) will be delivered under public private partnerships (PPPS) while 200,000 will be social housing.

The plan is part of efforts aimed at bridging the country’s housing deficit which stands at 1.85 million units.