Africa-Press – Kenya. President William Ruto has announced plans to expand Kericho by 1,000 acres.
The expansion is aimed at addressing the congestion that Kericho town has witnessed for years.
“This was part of the charter we signed and I agree with the Governor that Kericho is too congested. We have to look for 1000 acres to expand the town,’ Ruto said on Sunday.
The President also announced that Kericho county will be a beneficiary of the Affordable Housing project under his regime.
He said 10, 000 housing units will be set up in the county for residents to enjoy the low-cost houses.
As a result of the project, employment will be created.
“Tutajenga nyumba 500,000 kila baada ya miaka miwili. Hapa Kericho tutajenga nyumba 10,000 na vijana watapata ajira.(We will construct 500,000 houses after every two years. here in Kericho, 10,000 units will be set up and will create employment for the youths),” Ruto said.
In his manifesto, Ruto pledged to build 250,000 units annually through a public-private partnership that the developers are keen on.
He also promised to grow the number of mortgage accounts from less than 30,000 to one million by enabling low-cost deals and establishing an affordable long-term housing finance scheme.
According to the Center for Affordable Housing, Kenya has an accumulated housing deficit of two million housing units, growing by 200,000 units annually.
This is mainly due to the difference between the demand for 250,000 housing units and an estimated supply of 50,000 units every year.
This has resulted in more than 60 per cent of urban Kenyans living in slums and other low-quality housing without adequate sanitation.
Ruto however, said the Kenya Kwanza Government will streamline the affordable housing programme to make homeownership a reality for low-income earners.
The President noted he will work with legislators and development partners to find the most viable formula of achieving the affordable housing plan.
“The housing plan was premised on a couple of things that we needed to sort out; first is to make sure there is land, technology to build houses faster and in a cost effective manner and financing both for construction and mortgage,” Ruto added.
This deliberate move he said will enhance equal opportunities to all and ensure sustainable economic growth in our country.
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