- Kenyans have contributed more than Ksh200 billion to the housing programme.
- Lawmakers have questioned land ownership records across hundreds of project sites.
- Housing officials face pressure to address documentation gaps affecting future home ownership.
Kenyans have contributed more than Ksh 200 billion to the Affordable Housing Programme, Principal Secretary (PS) Charles Hinga has announced.
Hinga, who heads the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, made the disclosure while appearing before the National Assembly’s Special Funds Accounts Committee. He was accompanied by Affordable Housing Chief Executive Officer Joe Mutugu. The committee, chaired by Fatuma Mohammed, had summoned the officials to respond to queries raised in the Auditor General’s report for the 2024/2025 financial year.
Lawmakers pressed the two on how the money is used, how the housing levy is classified in law and how land for the projects is accounted for. On classification, Hinga told the committee that the levy operates legally as a tax. He said it is neither a voluntary nor a direct contribution, despite how it was first conceived.
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Members also turned to contractors. They questioned the profit margins allocated to builders, seeking assurance that firms remain financially viable while public resources are protected. In addition, they wanted guarantees that Kenyans who pay into the programme will eventually own homes.
However, land documentation drew the sharpest concern. The Auditor General flagged missing ownership papers across many project sites, a gap that could complicate the future issuance of sectional title deeds to beneficiaries.
According to the figures presented, 14 projects hold title deeds, nine have letters of allotment and 23 have certificates of official search. Two projects sit on community land. Meanwhile, 269 projects have no land documentation at all, out of 317 listed.
Mutugu acknowledged the findings. He told the committee that weak documentation of land for public assets is a widespread problem and not unique to the housing programme.
He added that discussions are under way with county governors and the Cabinet to formally vest the affected parcels in the Affordable Housing Board. Once completed, he said, the transfers would regularise the projects.
By Benedict Aoya
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