Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-02-29 15:01:58
Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga has issued a directive for individuals living in six estates in the Eastlands area of Nairobi to vacate their homes. The affected areas include Jogoo Road Phase I & II, Jamaa, Mbotela, Ahero, and Mawenzi Gardens. The purpose of this directive is to make way for the construction of affordable housing, which will be made available for Kenyans to purchase or lease.
In a letter addressed to the Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, PS Hinga specified that the affected families currently residing in old government houses have until April 30, 2024, to vacate the premises. He emphasized the importance of implementing the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) as part of the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which aims to increase rental stock, provide affordable housing options for citizens, and generate employment opportunities for the youth.
The directive requires occupants to vacate the estates immediately and surrender vacant possession to the Director of Estate Management. Tenants are also expected to settle any outstanding rent arrears, utility bills, and service charges. Furthermore, those who are evicted will be given priority to purchase or rent a house once the redevelopment is completed.
The affordable housing initiative is a key component of President William Ruto’s legacy, with over 130,000 jobs created since he assumed office. Ruto’s goal is to deliver more than 200,000 affordable housing units annually to meet the high demand for housing infrastructure in Kenya. State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed noted that 36,092 new housing units have been initiated under Ruto’s administration, leading to a significant boost in job creation.
As of August last year, construction had commenced on 36,092 housing units, and the Buxton Estate housing project, which was launched during Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidency, had been completed and handed over to buyers. The government is committed to fulfilling its promise of providing affordable housing solutions to the public, as evidenced by the ongoing development projects such as the Bondeni Affordable Housing Project in Nakuru County.
Overall, the directive to vacate the designated government estates in Eastlands is part of a larger effort to revitalize the housing sector in Kenya and improve the living conditions of its citizens. Through the implementation of affordable housing programs, the government aims to address the housing shortage, create employment opportunities, and enhance the overall quality of life for Kenyan residents.
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