NAIROBI — The government has defended the inclusion of social and physical infrastructure in the Affordable Housing Programme, dismissing claims by the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) that such provisions amount to a misuse of the Housing Levy.
In a statement released Saturday, the State Department for Housing and Urban Development insisted the approach is in line with the Affordable Housing Act, 2024, which allows for not only the construction of housing units but also the development of essential amenities like schools, health centres, markets, and public spaces.
“This integrated approach is not incidental—it is central to the Act’s vision of creating dignified, livable communities,” said Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga.
He added that modern housing must go beyond shelter to include access to key services that enhance quality of life and support economic activity, especially for working families.
The PS emphasized that Kenya’s approach to affordable housing aligns with global standards and its international obligations, including Sustainable Development Goal 11 and the New Urban Agenda, both of which promote inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable human settlements.
The clarification comes days after COTU-K raised concerns over the scope of the Affordable Housing Regulations, suggesting that the law might be exploited to fund non-housing projects through the levy collected from workers.
But the ministry hit back, pointing out that COTU not only has formal representation on the Affordable Housing Board but has also actively participated in the development of the legal framework.
Hinga revealed that Earnest Nadome was nominated by COTU as its representative in the formulation of the enabling regulations—a fact he said appears to have been overlooked by the federation’s top leadership.
“The program’s commitment remains firmly focused on delivering 250,000 housing units annually, while ensuring they are situated within complete, well-planned communities,” Hinga said.
He further argued that including infrastructure such as roads and utilities helps reduce commuting costs, promote social cohesion, and increase long-term value for homeowners—particularly the workers contributing to the fund.
Despite the back-and-forth, the State Department signaled openness to continued dialogue with stakeholders to ensure the program remains transparent and inclusive.
