The National Assembly committee says the first phase is expected to be ready by December, with priority given to social housing for low-income earners.
A parliamentary committee inspecting government housing projects in Kisumu County says construction is between 70 and 80 per cent complete, with the first phase expected to be ready by December.
The National Assembly’s Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works, led by vice-chairman Rindikiri Mugambi, said it would return to the site at the end of November to assess progress and ensure essential services are in place before residents move in.
The committee said electricity, water and sewerage systems must be completed alongside the housing units to ensure the homes are ready for occupation.
Mugambi said the government was also expected to provide supporting infrastructure, including schools, markets and other community facilities, as part of its affordable housing programme.
“We are not only putting up houses, we are also encouraging the development of human capital,” he said.
The committee said two housing projects were under way in Kisumu County, with another project in the neighbouring Siaya County also scheduled for inspection.
According to Mugambi, the two Kisumu projects have 214 interns, distributed equally between the sites. The programme is intended to provide practical experience for graduates and other trainees while supporting the construction sector.
Priority for low-income earners
The committee said social housing units should be prioritised for low-income earners, particularly traders and other vulnerable groups who may struggle to afford homes on the open market.
Mugambi said the committee would closely monitor the allocation process to ensure the intended beneficiaries were given priority.
He said the government needed to distinguish between social housing, which targets lower-income households, and affordable housing units available to other eligible buyers.
The committee also said it would work with the relevant government departments and contractors to establish when the houses would be completed and occupied.
Safety concerns
The inspection also focused on safety at the construction sites, with the committee warning that workers’ welfare must not be compromised.
Mugambi said the committee would arrange unannounced inspections to assess compliance with safety requirements.
“We cannot compromise on safety,” he said, adding that contractors would be expected to address concerns raised by the community.
The committee also highlighted the need to provide supporting facilities, including a school and a mosque, to serve residents in the development.
The inspection is part of parliamentary oversight of the government’s housing programme, which aims to increase access to affordable homes while creating employment opportunities in the construction sector.
The committee said it expected visible progress before its next visit at the end of November, ahead of the planned phased completion of the project.
Leave a comment