Housing project can only proceed if everything is clear, says Okang'o

According to Okang'o, the government has been very opaque in elucidating how the scheme will operate and has raised skepticism among Kenyans and leaders opposing it.

Speaking on Citizen TV's Daybreak show on Monday, Okang'o stated that if the government would want to win the trust of many Kenyans in the scheme, they ought to leave no stone unturned, starting with explaining how the mandatory 3% levy will work and how Kenyans will benefit from it.

"What is the guarantee that as a contributor you will get a house, we have seen these schemes mismanaged. The people are hesitant to contribute or accept the idea because of the past experiences they have had with such schemes," he said.

"This scheme can only proceed in an efficient way when certain things are clear, as is majority of the things they are putting are just fantasies."

Okang'o went on to add that the government needs to engage with experts from different sectors to help come up with an elaborate report which will resonate with every Kenyan.

"We want to see a situation where this is now considered an important issue that is subjected to a lot of expert contribution and then the issues come out as clear as possible. As it is now it is vague," he said.

He added that affordable housing is a fundamental right of every Kenyan but cannot be actualized if a government is not fully apprised of it and how it will deliver it to its citizens. 

"This is a right and everyone has a right to own a decent home in-fact we are going for affordable housing and every government must consider having a plan to ensure that its citizens have a house."

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.

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 the 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.

Housing PS Charles Hinga has also highlighted that government will provide room to amend the proposal with the input garnered through two weeks of public participation.

The Housing levy is contained in the Finance Bill 2023 which is set to be tabled in Parliament for debate.