Board officials tip locals how to buy houses

The Affordable Housing Board (AHB) has kicked off the week-long open forum to educate Kenyans on how to own some of the houses that are ready for occupation. 

In Makenji, Ol Kalau, Gichugu and Nanyuki, the board officials engaged the public to clarify some of the issues, following the misinformation in circulation.

The board's engagement with the residents ends tomorrow (Friday). The locals have been assisted on how they can apply for the house ownership through the Boma Yangu platform.

At Majeki market in Kandara, Murang’a, the public participation was led by the Murang’a County Housing Director Lareen Wasungu and Collins Makani from the board. They explained to the community how the 220 units, once completed, will contribute to uplifting the economy of the locals.

A potential house owner Neri Kinuthia castigated the contractor for taking too long to complete the project, after it was launched by President William Ruto on February 15, last year. “I am paying the monthly contributions, and will be handed to my son with energy to climb the stairs,” said Ms Kinuthia.

Wasungu said the project is poised to be completed by the end of the year, as it was 53 per cent complete.

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She said the house owners should disregard the misinformation peddled by the critics. “Once the project is complete, the house owners will buy from the local shops, boosting the economy," said Ms Wasungu.

Some residents, however, claimed there were delays in the payment of wages to the casuals working in the project and unfairness in the recruitment.

A resident Patrick Gakuna pleaded with the AHB to focus on the reduction of the deposit from 10 per cent to five per cent to allow the mama mboga to apply for the affordable housing project. “The project will be followed by benefits, and it will be prudent if Kandara people own some of the houses, only if the deposit is lowered,” said Gakuna.

Mzee Gachanja Mugo told the board that the presence of the project reduced the crime rate after the majority of the youth got engaged with the housing.

"I am happy to report that petty crimes are long gone after the youth got engaged. We are pleading with the government to explore more projects in the locality, focusing on empowering the youth,” said Mugo, a village elder.

Project’s clerk of works Micheal Mwololo said it is expected to be completed in July this year, awaiting allocation to the owners, lauding the Murang’a leaders for their support..

“The allegations of discrimination in recruitment are untrue. Matters concerning the delayed wages are untrue as it has not been brought to my attention,” said Mwololo.