The State Department for Housing has handed over the site for construction of 165 affordable housing units in Murang’a town.
The project to be funded at the tune of Sh308 million, as part of a wider strategy to deliver 10,000 homes across Murang’a County by 2030.
Handing over the site located in Kiharu estate, Central Region Director for Affordable Housing and Markets, Gakuru Muchiri said the construction of the houses will take 18 months.
The Kiharu affordable housing project, He noted, will be the fourth project to be implemented in Murang’a saying construction of another 2, 000 units is going on.
Muchiri noted that the housing projects are designed to expand access to decent housing while also boosting job creation and business opportunities for local communities.
He emphasized that the housing programme will directly address the challenge of inadequate housing, especially in fast-growing urban centres like Murang’a town.
He noted that the rollout is already taking shape in different constituencies. At Makenji in Kandara Constituency, 220 units are currently under construction and at 76 percent complete.
“In Gatanga, the government is constructing 1,910 houses around Delmonte Farm, while in Makuyu, 764 units are being constructed,” he said observing that plans are underway to kick start construction of houses in Kangema town.
The coordinator continued “Together, these projects form part of the phased implementation strategy aimed at delivering the 10,000 homes within the next few years.”
“In Murang’a town alone, we are investing Sh308 million to construct 165 units, and once completed, these houses will be made accessible to ordinary Kenyans at affordable rates,” said Muchiri who was accompanied by Murang’a Director of housing, Ms Laureen Wasungu.
He further explained that the government is putting in place measures to encourage residents to apply for the houses through Boma Yangu portal, the official housing application platform.
“These measures include awareness campaigns in both urban and rural areas, flexible payment models tailored to low- and middle-income earners, and support services to help applicants understand the registration and allocation process,” he remarked.
Muchiri outlined several benefits of the projects, noting that they will provide modern and affordable homes, create employment opportunities for youth and skilled workers, and stimulate growth for suppliers and small businesses.
“Local masons, carpenters, electricians, and food vendors are among those expected to benefit during the construction phase,”he explained.
The developments are also expected to ease congestion in informal settlements and give Murang’a town a more modern look.
On her part, Wasungu said the area where the houses will be constructed is government land and the contract is supposed to fence the site.
“This project will comprise 60 social housing units and 105 affordable units. The project is expected to employ at least 200 youth,” noted Wasungu.
She said the county administration and other relevant agencies will come with supporting infrastructure such as paved roads, drainage, water, and electricity connections, ensuring residents not only get decent houses but also improved living standards.
“These houses are not just for a few. They are for the common mwananchi, and we encourage Murang’a residents to take advantage of this opportunity by applying early on Boma Yangu,” added Wasungu.
Locals who participated in the occasion asked the contract to consider providing employment to scores of youth from the area.
“We are happy about this project. Our prayer is that our young people with technical skills be given priority when it comes to employment,” said Agnes Wanjiku, a local resident.
By Bernard Munyao
