The national government will spend Sh9 billion under the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) to construct affordable houses, markets and accommodation for public institutions in Elgeyo Marakwet county.
The county director housing Mening’wa Ruto said the Iten fresh produce market which cost Sh54 million was 99% complete saying the national government will soon be handing it over to the county to enable traders operate in a conducive environment.
He said phase one of Iten affordable housing with 228 units worth Sh612 million was 49% complete adding that phase two which is worth Sh1.6 billion with 694 units was starting off with the two projects being in Keiyo North.
Speaking in Iten during a BETA sensitization workshop, Ruto said the construction of 392 units in Keiyo South worth Sh1.7 billion had kicked off while the department had already advertised the tender for the construction of 100 units in Kapcherop Marakwet West sub county.
He added that Chepkorio in Keiyo South will be getting two markets, Biretwo (Keiyo South), Kapsowar (Marakwet West) and Tot (Marakwet East) trading centres will benefit from the construction of a market each while the construction of the Iten modern market was on going.
The director continued that the department will also be constructing student hostels for Kipsoen national polytechnic, Kerio Valley KMTC, Kapcherop and Chepsir VTC’s, Kerio Valley NYS and Iten KMTC.
In addition, Ruto said, Tambach prison will also benefit from the construction of 100 units for the staff.
The director said all labour both skilled and non-skilled will be sourced locally while the contractors will also buy materials locally.
He also called on residents to visit the ‘Boma Yangu’ desk at the Iten Huduma centre so that they can be assisted to buy the AHP houses being constructed in the country.
He however expressed concern that all the contractors were from Nairobi and called on the government to consider local contractors to empower them adding that each contractor should only be awarded one contract to ensure that the projects are completed on time.
The county commissioner David Koske called for coordination among government officers from different departments to ensure that government projects are completed on schedule saying it doesn’t augur well when government projects are delayed by government departments.
By Alice Wanjiru
