Raila: There Is Nothing Wrong With Affordable Housing, But…
Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimio, currently asserts that the government’s affordable housing plan is not inherently flawed. Instead, he criticizes its design and execution.
The leader of the ODM, in a conversation with Meru-based Mwariama FM, asserted that he was the trailblazer of the affordable housing and slum upgrading initiative.
During his tenure as the minister responsible for Roads, Transport, and Housing, he formulated the national housing strategy and implemented the program, drawing inspiration from international benchmarks.
Raila mentioned that he traveled to nations such as Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore to gain insights into their housing initiatives. This was done before the implementation of affordable housing and slum upgrading programs by the Narc government.
The leader of the opposition expressed that the affordable housing vision he shared with former President Mwai Kibaki did not involve compelling individuals to make payments or purchase homes.
Raila suggested that in certain situations, the government ought to permit individuals in Kenya who are interested in purchasing homes to make a down payment for a house instead of implementing widespread taxes.
He mentioned that the goal was to enhance the housing conditions for individuals residing in informal settlements without imposing burdensome taxes or repayment schemes on them.
“It was never about telling people to repay; where will they get that money?” Raila said during the wide-ranging interview on Saturday.
Raila asserted that the Kenya Kwanza administration has not adequately clarified to the Kenyan populace what it entails before its implementation.
Raila expressed his views on the shortcomings of the Kenya Kwanza affordable housing program, stating that the government has neglected the well-being of Kenyan citizens.
“Many people are protesting because most of them do not understand how they will benefit; they should even come up with convincing literature for Kenyans to read,” he said.
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Simultaneously, Raila emphasized that the government’s initiative should not focus on constructing identical houses nationwide; instead, it should prioritize designing residences tailored to the diverse requirements of different regions and populations.
“I brought about affordable housing and slum upgrading program when I served as minister for housing in the Kibaki government. Affordable housing does not mean that you build same houses all over of one-size-fits-all,” he said.
“You can’t have one design, in other areas you build bungalows, in some areas, residents provide land and labor while the government provides materials to improve their houses.”
Raila suggested that the government should have organized a significant national conference to discuss its housing policy change. This way, all Kenyans could have gained a clear understanding of the new policy before its implementation.
“We needed a national conference like the one we had in Bomas during the Kibaki era in Kenya we want. When you bring something like this that will affect people’s income, they must have trust that they will benefit,” Raila explained.
President William Ruto has pledged to fulfill his constitutional duty of ensuring housing for the citizens and has expressed his commitment to continue implementing his initiative for affordable housing.
The 1.5 percent levy on payslips has been halted by the court following cases filed by Kenyans.
Raila: There Is Nothing Wrong With Affordable Housing, But…
