Architects Present Housing Fund Alternative, Challenging Ruto’s Plan
On Friday, June 9, the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) urged President William Ruto to establish a county-level housing board to assist Kenyans at the grassroots level in understanding the Housing Fund.
Similar to the Huduma Centres established by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, such boards would create more employment opportunities for the nation’s youth. The Huduma Centres ensured that Kenyans had access to information in their respective towns.
AAK also cautioned that the housing concept encompassed additional concepts that needed to be explained to laypeople.
Ruto is under pressure to establish a framework for managing the funds and provide an explanation as to why it should not be considered a tax. The government specified that the deduction would be a tax on those who do not want their funds to be accessible after seven years.
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In addition, the architects urged the government to examine similar projects from the past to avoid losing millions of dollars raised by Kenyans if the Finance Bill 2023, which proposes the 3% Housing Fund, passes.
They referred to a project that provides Kibera slum dwellers with houses on a 25-year repayment schedule. Over time, however, the residents returned to the slums and rented out their homes.
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Despite this, AAK supported President William Ruto’s legacy project so long as its proposals were considered.
“Every Kenyan should have access to a safe and respectful living environment. The association’s president, Florence Nyole, declared, “We support this initiative.”
A portion of Kenyans are opposed to the Housing Fund, which will deduct 3% of their salaries.
Ruto and his team, including Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga, spearheaded the initiative to provide Kenyans with low incomes with affordable housing.
On Tuesday, June 6, Hinga announced that the fund was open for amendments before the vote. In advance of the presentation of the 2023/24 budget to Parliament on Thursday, June 15.
Hinga urged the members of parliament not to reject the plan that could provide all Kenyans with affordable housing.
Ruto, for his part, emphasized that he was merely keeping one of his key campaign promises to Kenyans.
“The campaign leaders who were with me heard me mention a housing plan. Why would they turn away at this time?” Ruto questioned the fund’s opponents.
He also dared to track down lawmakers who opposed the Finance Bill of 2023.
Architects Present Housing Fund Alternative, Challenging Ruto’s Plan
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