RUTO CHANGES TUNE ON HOUSING FUND PLAN

The government has reiterated that the Housing Fund that will see employees taxed 3% of their salaries and employers expected to match the contribution, is beneficial to Kenyans and they should embrace it whole-heartedly.

State Department for Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said that the housing levy proposal in the Finance Bill 2023 would help Kenyans get houses and basic amenities at affordable prices than what is offered in the real estate market at the moment.

Speaking to Citizen TV on Wednesday, June 7, Hinga said, the fact that the government would be building the houses on public land, Kenyans will save on the cost of purchasing land, a factor which he said inflated the cost of construction.

According to the PS who has vigorously defended the proposal, Kenyans will benefit in a great way by having modern affordable houses without necessarily purchasing land.

House categories under Kenya’s Housing Fund plan

“The purpose of this fund is to create an off-take. It means that the government has provided public land at no cost to you the Kenyan person,” explained Hinga.

The state official added that the government would also ensure basic amenities which sum up a habitable home are provided.

“We will provide you with all services (water, sewer and electricity) to that site. We have removed so many costs that make the cost of construction very high,” Hinga continued.