Kenyans protest after PS Charles Hinga explains how government will allocate homes under housing levy fund

Kenyans protest after learning how Gov't will allocate Uhuru's cheap houses

Mumbi Mutuko

April 24, 2019 11:36 AM

It will not be easy to get low cost houses- Kenyans argue

File image of low cost houses

Kenyans have protested the method the government plans to use in the allocation of homes which they are paying forunder the housing levy fund.

Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Principal Secretary, State Department for Housing and Urban Planning, Charles Hinga said that those under the social housing category will be balloted.

This did not sit well with Kenyans who were up in arms in social media accusing the Jubilee administration of playing games with their money.

Many questioned why they would be subjected to contributing to the housing levy fund if they were not guaranteed to get home.

Housing PS Charles Hinga Pulse Live Kenya

Houses to be ready by 2022

In his defense, the PS said that the government was ready to construct the houses assuring that Kenyans will have 500,000 houses by 2022.

He further stated that the Kenyans were contributing to the housing levy fund through public-private participation(PPP) and not tax as it is being branded online.

"The housing fund levy is a contribution, not a tax. One retains the right to decide where the contribution should go... the housing fund levy is compulsory. It is also a contribution," PS Hinga stated.

"The housing fund levy is a contribution because if you do not get a house, you can assign your contribution to your son/daughter/relative. It gives you a direct benefit," he added.

Jubilee Manifesto

PS Charles Hinga Pulse Live Kenya

PS Hinga also reminded Kenyans that the houses were promised to Kenyans by the Jubilee government when they were campaigning as it was part of their manifesto.

He explained that Kenyans will have to start contributing before the houses are allocated to them through the ballot process.

The PS said: "One has to register and start contributing before a house is allocated to them. A lottery system will be used to determine who gets a house."

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