More demolitions are set to take place across the country as the government seeks to create space for the construction of affordable houses.
Lands and Housing Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome announced that the government has identified and allocated approximately 575 parcels of land spanning about 12,000 acres for the implementation of affordable housing projects. Among these parcels are areas currently occupied by aging estates owned by both national and county governments, slated for redevelopment.
As of now, demolitions are already in progress, with 62 parcels totaling 780 acres identified in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru counties.
Wahome clarified that while all 575 identified parcels may not be utilized for the Affordable Housing program due to various reasons such as unsuitability, they will be retained in the land bank for potential future projects.
Responding to inquiries from Marsabit Senator Mohammed Chute regarding the value of each designated government-owned parcel, Wahome emphasized the government’s commitment to building at least 200,000 housing units annually to address the housing deficit and generate employment opportunities for the youth.
Procurement for the development of these housing units is conducted in adherence to the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, with contracts negotiated and agreed upon mutually between parties involved. Despite the houses being built on public land, Wahome assured that the parcels would not be transferred to developers.
The completed projects in Park Road, Nairobi, and Bondeni, Nakuru, mark significant progress in the Affordable Housing initiative. The Park Road Housing Project, spanning 7.9 acres, boasts 1,370 affordable housing units, while the Bondeni project offers 605 housing units.
Several ongoing projects are underway in Nairobi and Nakuru counties, with plans for future developments in Mombasa and Kisumu under consideration.
Notable projects include the Kibera Soweto East Zone B Housing Project and the Shauri Moyo-Kamkunji constituency project in Nairobi, as well as the Mukuru Met Site housing project, encompassing a total of 13,076 housing units across various lot divisions.
These projects aim to provide not only housing but also essential amenities such as schools, commercial spaces, health centers, and recreational facilities, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for residents.
