Katana Nzaro, a 32-year-old man in Kilifi has invited President William Ruto to visit and seek inspiration from his Italian inspired affordable house dubbed ‘Super Dobe’.
According to Nzaro, it only takes around Ksh300,000 to construct the houses meaning that money is saved compared to resources spent putting up other types of houses.
Aside from its affordability, Nzaro said that constructing the house is also a way of conserving the environment explaining that it reduces the cutting of trees often used in construction.
He also indicated that when implemented, it can be a source of employment for many jobless youths across the country.
“Many locals are constructing houses using trees. When we say we will keep cutting down trees, we will ruin the environment.
“The government should come and learn from our work. They can come and see how we are constructing this house. We only used Ksh300,000,” he said.
Also Read: Kenyans Raise Questions After Kelvin Kiptum’s House Cost Govt Ksh7M
Features of the Affordable House
The house is constructed using gunny bags filled with a mixture of cement, sand and clay. The bags are stacked on top of each other like stones are done when constructing stone houses.
“If you put 100 percent clay, during sunny days, the clay can crack and ruin the house. That is why we add sand and cement to the mixture,” he explained.
Additionally, he indicated that the particular circular one roomed house they were constructing, was made as a holiday home, explaining that other types of houses could be contracted using the same technique.
Also, he said that the house is water, fire and heat proof. Therefore, it provides good living conditions for any weather or season.
“We made this one like a holiday house. It cannot just easily catch fire so you can do several activities inside,” added Nzaro.
Nzaro was among hundreds of others who received lessons in 2023 from an Italian man on how to put up such houses.
The students paid Ksh100,000 for a one month to learn from the tourist. The design is commonly used in Mexico and other Italian nations.
Also Read: EXPLAINED: Technology Used by Contractor to Finish Kiptum’s House in Five Days
New Technology Used to Construct Kiptum’s House
In February, Kenyans were amazed by the technology that was used to construct a three-bedroom house for the late World record Holder Kelvin Kiptum for one week.
The government indicated that it spent Ksh7 million to construct the house.
The construction was done using thin sheets of steel to construct walls, roofs, floors, and other parts of a house. Different shapes of the steel bars are manufactured in a plant and later transported to the site for assembling.
Later, another team came in to fill the skeleton with gypsum and cement to give it shape.
According to the constructors, the house is very strong and durable, and the technology can be used to build structures that can withstand high winds, earthquakes, and other extreme weather conditions.
