President William Ruto launched the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) across the country to bridge the annual gap of 250,000 homes.
The president aims to deliver housing on ownership terms for Kenyan citizens with an ambition to increase mortgages from 30,000 to 1,000,000, with favorable ownership terms that have monthly payments as low as Ksh5,000.
According to the State Department of Housing and Urban Development, the AHP can be achieved by focusing on launching ready projects at both national and county levels.
It explains that the AHP will be successful if provisions are made in legislation for cheap and stable financing to underwrite projects.
Additionally, the program is projected to promote economic recovery by linking Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the Jua Kali sector to these projects.
So far, the government has delivered 1,189 affordable homes: 584 in Buxton Phase One and another 605 units in Nakuru Bondeni Affordable Housing.
There are 8,872 units in ongoing projects, 41,641 launched projects, 19,965 recently launched projects, and 6,813 Private Sector AHP Incentive Supported Projects.
On Saturday, July 27, Ruto laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Matuga Affordable Housing in Kwale County.
The Affordable Housing Programme also aims to create better and affordable homes for security officers, traders, and students through the AHP.
Out of the three bids the government has made, one aims to provide decent housing for the police, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), and students under the Institutional Housing Agenda.
Ongoing Police Affordable Housing Programme Units
Under this agenda, there are 2,496 police units currently ongoing.
Already, there are units in the pipeline awaiting completion in areas including Bondo APS, Ndaragwa Police Station, Langas Police Station, Kathiani Police Station, and Chuka Police Station.
Also among the areas where AHS units for the police are ongoing are Malkagufi Police Station, Eldas Police Station, Banissa Police Station, Thika GK Police Station, Ruiru G.K. Police Station, Kisii Main Prison, Sondu Police Station, ASTU HQs (Gilgil), Kiambu APS, and Kitui Border Patrol School APS.
Additionally, there are 50 ongoing AHP units at Bungoma Police Station and Garsen Police Station, while Emali AP Camp, Shimo La Tewa Prison, and Kajiado Police Station each have 100 units.
The Kenya Police Staff College in Loresho also has 72 units while Kilimani police station has 542 units.
Police AHP Under Negotiation
The State Department for Housing and Urban Planning notes that 4,000 police units are currently under negotiation.
This includes 150 units at Garissa Police Station/AP and AP Training College and 100 units at Ruiru Prison and Shimo La Tewa.
There are also 1,000 units under negotiation in Ngong Kajiado Police Housing, Embakasi RDU Housing, and NPS RDU Embakasi.
Other police projects under negotiation are as follows: Changamwe Police Station (60 units), NPS Kilimani Police Station (468 units), NPS SGB Uhuru Camp (1,500 units) AND NPS SGB Mathare Housing (500 units).
The others are Kanyakwar I-A (100 units), Kanyakwar I-B (323 units), Kanyakwar II (323 units), Kanyakwar III (370 units), Kanyakwar IV (498 units), Marsabit (328 units), and Eldoret Bondeni (900 units).
KDF & Institutional Housing
The KDF is also not left out. There are 24,360 affordable housing units under negotiation for the proposed design, build, finance, and transfer of housing units and associated infrastructure for the KDF and students.
The government plans to build KDF 4,736 units in the Embakasi Garrison, Nairobi, 3,148 at Kahawa Barracks, and 1,458 units at Lang’ata Barracks.
Negotiations are also ongoing for the delivery of 500 AHP units for the NPS Housing Project at SGB Uhuru Camp in Nairobi, and NPS Housing Project at Mathare SGB. Other NPS AHP units under negotiation include Ruiru Police Station (780), NPS Harambee Buruburu (610), and GSU headquarters (4,040).
NPS Schools and Govt Universities
Additionally, there are 1,000 units under negotiation for the NPS University Housing Project in Ngong, Kajiado County, and 1,020 units for the GSU Training School Housing Project in Embakasi.
The government also has 3,473 units under negotiation for the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), Nairobi.
Also Read: Explainer: How Ksh42 Billion Housing Levy Has Been Used in Affordable Housing Programme
Lands, Sites & Bids
According to the State Department, there are 181 land parcels with over 1,762 acres identified for the project.
There are 27 responsive bids, 12 under negotiation with investors, in bid round 3 advertised recently, and 4 projects signed with investors.
Constituency Program
The government has identified 223 priority sites under the Constituency Program with over 2,000 acres.
There are also 15 projects currently ongoing and 46 projects currently under advertisement.
Further, there are 162 projects with the potential for at least 52,000 homes currently under planning.
Markets Program
Markets are among the key promises in the Kenya Kwanza manifesto, and the government has embarked on efforts to develop 400 markets across the country to dignify traders’ work environments while boosting economic recovery at the local level.
“This ambition aligns with Kenya Vision 2030, which also recognizes the market sector as a key pillar and a critical enabler in achieving the country’s long-term development strategy,” states the State Department for Housing and Urban Development.
The government explained that trade presently takes place in open-air markets, which are informal in nature and characterized by makeshift stalls with poor waste collection systems.
Other problems associated with these markets include inadequate water supply, sanitation facilities like toilets, lack of parking facilities, and other essential amenities.
“There is also prevalence of trading along major roads, which is a major safety concern for both traders and customers,” said the State Department.
Also Read: Govt Declares Eligibility for Kenyans to Enjoy Affordable Houses
For this reason, the government plans to build 290 Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) markets, 77 Municipal Markets, 47 County Strategic Markets, and 21 Metropolitan Markets – 3 per Metro region.
The government stated that ESP markets were started to boost Kenya’s economic growth and jumpstart the economy toward long-term growth. Each market was allocated Ksh10 million for constructing basic facilities, including a market office, ablution blocks, waste cubicle, masonry water tank, and market shed.
However, 181 ESP Market projects were not completed and were between 15% and 50% complete.
Recommendations for ESP Markets Projects
The recommendations for ESP market projects include perimeter fences and gates, landscaping, parking, drives and pavements, stormwater drainage, building services (i.e., electrical and mechanical works), water and electricity/boreholes, and security lighting.
It also includes relocating poorly located ESP Markets, while some upgrades will be determined by available land sizes that range between 0.5 – 2 acres.
Progress of Markets AHP
There are 167 ESP markets under implementation in 73 clusters and 15 modern markets under implementation.
There are also 8 modern markets and 10 ESP markets under procurement. The government is currently implementing 30 markets under the Slum Upgrading Department (SUD), Markets Project Pipeline.
Ten classroom blocks are under preparation at Limuko Primary School, and four markets are under SUD preparation.
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