Blow to Uhuru’s Big 4 Agenda as MPs reject plans to finance ambitious project

janet ndila

September 1, 2018 11:26 AM

Big 4 agenda a key part of President Kenyatta's legacy

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s ambitious affordable housing plan contained in the Big 4 agenda suffered a huge setback after MPs rejected plans to finance the project.

The legislators unanimously rejected plans by the government to pass the financial burden to taxpayers through taxes.

The affordable housing plan aims to see 500000 units constructed within 5 years and would be part of President Kenyatta's legacy.

The project was to be financed by taxpayers with every employee contributing 0.5% of his or her gross salary.

Employers would also match the contributions up to a maximum of 5000 shillings.

The move was a relief to the taxpayer who is already facing high cost of living with a new 16% VAT on fuel coming into effect today.

Minority leader in Parliament Junet Mohamed stated that “Parliament has been accused of not being sensitive to the needs of the people and it is today that we need to a rise to the occasion”.

With the new move the ambitious plan will most likely not be realized in President Kenyatta’s second and final term in office.

The plan was mooted to address the chronic housing shortage in Kenya with the latest Economic Update by the World Bank putting the country’s housing gap at 2 million.

janet ndila