Affordable Housing
The Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) which is a priority initiative under the national government geared towards facilitating the construction of decent, safe, and affordable housing for citizens of Kenya, is making significant headway in Kericho County where a total of 1000 housing units are being constructed at the Majengo Talia area.
The first Phase of the Kericho Talai Affordable Housing Project underway at Ainamoi constituency is being carried out by Padaa Enterprises and being implemented by the State Department of Housing at a cost of Ksh778,211,897.71 million.
This is according to the Kericho County Commissioner Mr. Gilbert Kitiyo who also said the project which kicked off on the 1st of July 2024, will take 18 months hence expected to be completed by the 1st of January 2026. Mr. Kitiyo who spoke to KNA disclosed that a total of 500 local youths have been employed directly to undertake various skilled and unskilled jobs at the construction site adding that many other people are benefitting indirectly from the project.
“People are being employed indirectly such as the suppliers of construction materials and these opportunities are providing them with a stable livelihood” added Mr. Kitiyo
Also speaking to KNA, the Talai Majengo AHP Construction Project Manager Mr. Hillary Omari revealed that the project is taking shape having completed the preliminary stage and currently working on the sub-structure work adding that excavations for two blocks was complete.
“In this site, we have three blocks, block A1 block A2, and block B, where we have various units such as one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom, and studio units,” clarified Omari.
Kitiyo also intimated that phase two of the program will soon kick off saying there was a proposal to have a total of 10,000 housing units in the Chelimo area on the outskirts of Kericho town. The CC further mentioned that social amenities will also be constructed alongside the affordable housing units to cater to the population that will occupy the houses in Talai Majengo and also Chelimo area.
“The amenities include, the construction of a social hall, upgrading of existing health centers, new police posts, and the nearest schools will be refurbished to accommodate the increasing number of children within the APH vicinities” added Mr. Kitiyo.
Mr. Kitiyo further assured residents that the road networks within the area will be improved and water supply enhanced and Information Communication and Technology (ICT) centers will be set up to ensure a stable internet connection is available for residents to transact online.
The CC further urged Kericho residents to start registering for the AHP for them to be homeowners by logging on to the Boma Yangu web portal www.bomayangu.go.ke or via the *832# USSD.
The right to housing is embedded in the Constitution of Kenya, which provides that every person has the right to accessible and adequate housing.
