The Ministry of Housing, Urban Planning, and Public Works has come under scrutiny after revelations that police officers are still facing housing deductions, despite the 2018 policy shift that ended free housing for security officers. This shift was implemented by Fred Matiang’i when he was serving as the Interior Cabinet Secretary.
While appearing before the Committee of Administration and Internal Security on Thursday, November 6, 2025, which is chaired by Narok West Gabriel Tongoyo, the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, urged the Ministry to prioritize the construction of police houses within police station compounds to enhance emergency response and improve officers’ welfare.
Officials from the Ministry, led by Acting Secretary for Housing Cassius Kusienya, told the committee that a total of 33,517 housing units had been transferred to security agencies, including 16,551 units to the Kenya Police Service, 7,631 to the Administration Police Service, and 9,335 to the Kenya Prisons Service.
Ministry of Housing on the Spot Over Police Housing Deductions
Kusienya explained that in December 2018, then-Interior CS Fred Matiang’i discontinued free housing for officers living in police lines and replaced it with a market-based housing allowance for officers below the rank of Inspector.
However, he admitted that some officers continue to experience payroll deductions for units they no longer occupy, a situation that has created financial strain and lowered morale among personnel.
“Hon. Members, this shift has led to challenges, as some officers continue to experience payroll deductions for units they no longer occupy, creating financial strain and lowering morale”, he told the lawmakers.
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He further informed the committee that, due to budget constraints, only minor repairs have been completed in 525 housing units. Under the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP), 962 units are either completed or ongoing, 4,681 units have been newly awarded, 400 have been awarded but have yet to commence, while 3,099 units remain under procurement.
NPS Urged to Address Unpredictability of Police Transfers
At the same time, Committee Members raised concerns over the unpredictability of transfers, which they argued has made proper housing allocation for officers difficult, urging the National Police Service to address the challenge.
The Vice Chairperson, Col. Dido Rasso, recommended the formation of a joint sub-committee comprising representatives from the Ministry, NPS, and NPSC to streamline roles and address housing concerns more efficiently.
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During his tenure as Interior CS under President Uhuru Kenyatta, Matiang’i oversaw police reforms and implemented the transition from free housing to housing allowances.
The directive, issued by President Kenyatta in September 2018, aimed to integrate police officers into their communities while enhancing their welfare.
Matiang’i defended the reform at the time, saying it was a well-considered policy developed in consultation with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and other relevant bodies to enhance police welfare and living standards.
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