By James Wakahiu
Demand for housing in Murang’a County has risen drastically, surpassing supply, something that has seen a good number of people working in the region seek shelter elsewhere in towns like Juja and Thika.
Jacob Mwangangi who is the Chairman of Murang’a County Co-operatives, revealed this recently while speaking at Kabuta in Kiharu Constituency during the issuance of title deeds and launch of Kabuta Phase 8 project on a 15-acre parcel of land owned by the giant Broad Borders Housing Co-operative Society.
Mwangangi pointed out that the county lacked ample investment in terms of housing that could have otherwise catered for the emerging deficit caused by the influx of human resource and students in the county.
He said there has been a huge growth in the number of students in Murang’a town after Murang’a University College was awarded a charter.
“Recently, Pioneer International University also opened a campus in Murang’a town not mentioning other private colleges in the town. Likewise, with devolution, the workforce within the county has tripled, increasing the demand for housing,” added Mwangangi.
As a result, he said, the cost of housing has skyrocketed, leaving most low-income earners without proper housing.
It is for this reason that the Society embarked on investing in real estate and housing both for its members and the general public.
The organisation has invested in land in Murang’a and 26 other counties with traits of fast growing towns that that have exceeded supply in housing.
Its Chairman, Jeremy Karemeri explained that their driving force was to ensure their members acquired plots in very affordable and pocket friendly terms.
“We have always gone out of our way to give our members an opportunity to pay for their plots in installments. This programme has attracted quite a number of members especially those low-income earners who would have otherwise not managed to raise the lump sum at ago,” said Jeremy.
During the launch, over 300 title deeds were issued to members. Some of the members like Jane Muchai and Rev. James Peter Mwangi lauded the Co-operative for its support, saying they would not have been in a position to own land had it not been for the intervention of Broad Borders
