Deputy Majority whip Naomi Wako at pains to explain how gov't will oversight Housing Levy

The proposal, however facing contention from the opposition and a section of Kenyans, wants Kenyans to pay 1.5% of their monthly salaries to support the government's affordable housing plan.

While appearing on Citizen TV's Daybreak show, the nominated MP was fronted to break down the framework government will operate with to manage the contributions.

Waqo first highlighted that despite the proposal seemingly being vaguely tackled, it still needs to be effected to avoid what she termed as 'time wastage'.

"This is the right time to do whatever we want to do in terms of finances and putting policies in place so that we continue working. If we don't do that then we delay and the more we delay the more we waste time," she stated.

Sam Gituku, the anchor hosting the show, then questioned MP Waqo on why the government is remaining persistent on the matter if they lack a clear operational framework.

Gituku posed: "Does it bother you that you are collecting money whose structure of implementation you don't have?" 

"It doesn't bother me because we have structures in place that will take care of that," replied MP Waqo. 

"Which ones?" Gituku interjected.

"We have the treasury, the Finance Committee, and the Ministry of Housing that is working on that day and night so that everything will be clear and they will continue preparing Kenyans and telling them what is happening," Waqo replied.

Waqo was further questioned on how the government will be held accountable if there is no structure to steer the contribution's expenditure.

Gituku asked: "You know that is fine ...and you are going to introduce a housing tax, money will be collected by KRA and will be deposited by Central Bank taken care of by Treasury and there is no budget line on how it will be spent. So how shall we hold you accountable?"

"I'm sure once money is collected we must be accountable. What we are trying to express is the fear that Kenyans have," Waqo said.

Gituku further grilled Waqo asking: "There is a reason why the budget estimates came as a budget policy statement to the National Assembly they were taken to committees and there was public participation and came back with a report which was tabled before parliament and it was approved. There is no line on affordable housing to be funded by the housing tax how will you then oversight it as parliament."

MP Wako in her brief response said: "We will be able to oversight."

The Affordable Housing programme has faced tight contention between different sects in the nation as many have propounded that the scheme will act as a leeway to encourage graft.

Most of those opposing the Housing Fund have opined that the government has been very opaque in elucidating how the scheme will operate, further raising skepticism among Kenyans.

Questions looming around the proposal are 'Who will build the houses, Why do I have to contribute if I already have a house, What happens if I contribute and still not get a house? and Who is managing the contributions?'

President William Ruto has explained that Kenyans need to contribute because there is need to lift Kenyans at the bottom of the economic pyramid hence why everyone should contribute to support those who live in deplorable conditions.

National Assembly Majority Whip and South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro has opined that the contribution will not be banked in the government's consolidated account but will rather be stored by a commercial banker and distributed by an administrator.

Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria on his part has said that the project will be spearheaded by the county governments and not necessarily the national government where the 47 Governors will spearhead will oversee the project.

The housing levy is contained in the Finance Bill 2023 which sailed through the Second Reading stage with 176 Members of Parliament supporting it against 81 who opposed it.