- Housing committee praises progress in Kakamega and Kisii but raises concerns over Bungoma delays.
- Lawmakers question slow construction and low sales at Bungoma’s affordable housing project.
- Residents in Kakamega seek solutions to water supply and waste management challenges.
The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works has commended progress on affordable housing projects in Kakamega and Kisii counties while raising concerns over slow construction and low uptake of housing units in Bungoma.
During inspection visits, lawmakers assessed the implementation of housing and market projects across the Western and Nyanza regions, focusing on construction progress, delivery timelines and the impact of public investments on local communities.
In Kakamega, a subcommittee led by Vice Chairperson Mugambi Rindikiri visited the 250 unit Phase One Affordable Housing Project in Milimani, where all the units have been sold and occupied by more than 250 families.
The legislators welcomed the transformation of the estate, describing it as evidence of how affordable housing can improve living conditions and create organised residential communities.
Rindikiri noted that the project demonstrated the value of the housing programme, adding that elected representatives had a role in supporting government initiatives that deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
Residents, led by their chairman, Dr Collins Odoyo, also praised the project for providing them with a more decent and secure living environment. They, however, appealed to the relevant authorities to address challenges involving water supply, waste management and incomplete painting works.
The residents said the estate had developed into a vibrant community where children could play safely and families from different backgrounds could live together. They urged the responsible agencies to resolve the outstanding concerns to improve the estate’s overall living conditions.
Meanwhile, construction of Phase Two of the Kakamega project is underway, with additional housing units expected to expand the development.
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However, in Bungoma the committee expressed concern over delays at a 372 unit affordable housing project that has reached approximately 50 per cent completion.
The lawmakers questioned the slow pace of construction despite the contractor having received Ksh 451 million, representing half of the total contract sum.
Members Jane Kagiri of Laikipia and Abraham Kirwa of Mosop sought explanations for the delays, prompting the contractor to cite shortages of building stones and disruptions caused by heavy rains in the region.
The committee also raised concerns about the limited workforce at the site, where only 90 workers were present, warning that the low staffing levels could further undermine timely completion.
Lawmakers called on the contractor to develop a revised work plan to accelerate construction and introduce an effective marketing strategy to attract prospective buyers.
They questioned why only 25 units had been sold, arguing that the low uptake pointed to shortcomings in efforts to market the houses to Kenyans seeking affordable homeownership.
The committee stressed the need for both construction and marketing activities to improve if the project is to meet its intended objectives.
In Kisii County, the committee, chaired by Joseph Kipkosgei Tonui, praised progress at the Nyaribari Masaba Affordable Housing Project, although construction remains ongoing.
The development is designed to deliver 240 housing units comprising social housing, Affordable Housing Programme units and market rate units. It will also feature supporting facilities, including a kindergarten, commercial centre, clubhouse and swimming pool.
According to the site supervision team, the project had attained 46 per cent physical completion at the time of inspection.
Construction work has advanced on structural frames and walling across several blocks, while plastering and installation of services continue. Work on the kindergarten, commercial stalls, power house and swimming pool is also progressing at different stages.
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The inspection provided lawmakers with an opportunity to assess the quality and pace of construction and establish whether the project was on course to deliver the promised housing and community facilities.
The committee also visited the Nyangusu Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) Market in Kisii County, where it directed the main contractor to strengthen its financial capacity to ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated timelines.
The directive was aimed at preventing funding related challenges from slowing implementation and safeguarding public resources invested in the development.
The inspections form part of the committee’s oversight mandate to monitor public projects, identify implementation bottlenecks and ensure that government funded developments deliver meaningful benefits to citizens.
The committee is expected to compile a report on its inspection tour, outlining its findings and recommendations on the projects visited.
By Lizzy Aluga
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