Construction of 764 housing units at Makuyu area in Maragua Constituency, Murang’a County has commenced in earnest.
The project to be funded to a tune of Sh1.8 billion is scheduled to be done within a period of 18 months with October 2026 set as the month of completion.
It comprises eight blocks to be constructed on 6.25-acre land parcel near Kenol- Marua highway and are categorized into three units namely, social, affordable and market.
The social category will have 160 units consisting of single, double and three bedroom units while the affordable category will have a total of 364 units including studios, two and three bedroom houses.
The market category which will have 240 units and targets high earners which have only two and three bedrooms.
“Social category targets low earners while affordable units are meant for medium income earners. For the social single room units each will cost Sh840, 000, two rooms will go for Sh1.26 million and for three room houses will sell at Sh1.68 million,” explained Gakuru Muchiri, Central Regional Lead – affordable Housing and Markets, during a stakeholders meeting at the site of the project, Wednesday.
Muchiri added for affordable units, a studio will go for Sh960, 000, two bedrooms cost Sh1.92 million and three-bedrooms sale at Sh2.88 million.
“The market units which are targeted for high earners are quite spacious and with fine finishing where a two bedroom is set to sale at Sh4.32 million and three bed rooms cost Sh5.76 million,” he added.
Muchiri hailed the project saying it will improve socio-economic status of the locals since they are set to benefit with employment opportunities and tenders to supply construction materials.
“Apart from the housing project, there are other associated infrastructure which will be done here including an ECDE centre, a commercial centre and a sports field. This is to ensure the occupants access some social amenities with ease,” he stated.
The government, Muchiri said is targeting to construct a total of 10, 000 housing units in Murang’a saying already they started building in two sites, Makenji and Makuyu and have identified a site at Delmonte Farm where 910 units will be constructed and another area within Murang’a town where 150 units will be put up.
“The 220 house units at Makenji site near Kabati area in Kandara Constituency are at 47 percent complete. So far more than 1,000 Kenyans have expressed interest to get the units by registering in the Boma Yangu platform and some have raised the required 10 percent deposit,” explained the regional officer.
Muchiri urged local residents to take advantage of the project and seek employment opportunities saying those with artisan skills are likely to benefit more especially in supplying fitting items like window panes, doors among others.
Murang’a South Deputy County Commissioner, Gitonga Murungi, who represented the county commissioner at the forum dismissed individuals claiming ownership of plots in the construction site.
He urged those with grievances to seek assistance from the National Land Commission stressing that the land belongs to the government.
“This is public land but we know there are individuals who acquired title deeds illegally and I urge them to seek clarification from the NLC and in courts,” Murungi said, adding that national government administrators will spearhead sensitisation forums about the affordable housing to residents in rural areas.
By Bernard Munyao
