The government is constructing a total of 4,096 modern affordable houses under the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) in Starehe Sub-County where buyers will purchase them through the Boma Yangu platform at affordable prices.
Divided into three categories, the houses will comprise 2,364 affordable units, 400 market units and 1,062 social units for the low-income segment of the society comprising one to three rooms of which a single room will be as low as Sh640,000 per unit.
Briefing the National Government Delivery-Regional/County Implementation Coordination and Management Committee (NGD-RICMC/CICMC) team led by the Nairobi Regional Commissioner (RC) Gilbert Kitiyo during an inspection tour to check on the progress of construction works, the Starehe General Manager Gulf Cap Limited, Caroline Njeru said the houses are being constructed on government land measuring 22 acres divided into two parcels comprising 21 blocks all with 13 floors each.
The modern houses will also have social amenities including a parking silo, commercial centre, an early childhood development facility, community centre, a police post and a dispensary that will cater for the community around that area.
“We have already done the demonstration show houses for the market-type units, and by 2027, we will have completed the entire project,” assured Njeru.
The 22-acre parcel of land had about 360 ancient government houses and an informal settlement (Matopeni slum), which was occupied by 770 families who had erected dwelling structures. All the unplanned houses have been demolished to pave way for the modern houses.
Njeru said the project has created employment at the site for at least 250 residents from the area, noting that as the works progress, more jobs would be created, including those for Jua Kali artisans from Kamukunji, Ngong and Kariobangi who would be contracted to provide steel doors and windows for the houses.
The Regional Commissioner told the developer to ensure that the project succeeds and is delivered in the agreed timelines.
RC Kitiyo urged public servants serving in the county whose line ministries are involved in implementing the AHP to embrace projects being undertaken in their areas of jurisdiction for their success.
He said it is prudent for officers to familiarise themselves with projects being implemented in their areas of jurisdiction by other government agencies and facilitate them as per their mandate to make it easy for the implementing agency.
“Let us move out of our spaces and facilitate the projects so that they are delivered on time. If it is application forms, approvals and certification make it easy for those undertaking the project by ensuring they are available,” said the RC.
He at the same time called upon government institutions implementing government-funded projects to engage the National Government Delivery-Regional/County Implementation Coordination and Management Committee whenever they encountered challenges for the committee to unlock the bottlenecks to avoid delays in completion of projects.
The Committee also visited the Green Park Terminus Pedestrian Underpass intersection of the Haile Selassie Avenue and Uhuru Highway and the Bomas of Kenya to check on the progress of the construction work.
Resident Engineer, Civil One Consulting Engineers Limited Benjamin Esilia told the committee that the underpass tunnel measuring 176 metres being constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation will have lights, CCTVs, shops, lifts to cater for people who are physically challenged including coloured tactile paving to provide walking path cues for those who are partially blind.
He said the intersection was one of the busiest in the country, with an average of over 8,500 pedestrians crossing during peak hours and over 21,000 pedestrians per day who move back and forth from the Central Business District to Upper Hill.
“We have addressed the issue of security as our management office will ensure CCTV is fully manned 24 hours. We will install a solar standby generator and national grid power to ensure there is lighting at all times,” he said.
He added that there would be normal patrol by police officers as the tunnel would be open for use 24 hours.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of Bomas of Kenya Jimmy Okidiang’i and Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Bomas of Kenya Jane Chebaibai informed the committee that the ongoing construction works of the Bomas International Convention Complex (BICC) were progressing well.
The Bomas International Convention Complex is expected to position Nairobi as a regional and premier destination for holding conferences, exhibitions and other events.
The government-funded project, which commenced in March this year and is expected to be complete in March 2026, has an overview capacity of 11,000 pax and would comprise a convention and performance and meeting facilities, general conference and event spaces, support facilities and amenities.
Among the committee members during the tour was Director Government Delivery Unit Jonah Orumoi who urged government ministries implementing projects and developers undertaking construction works to engage the committee whenever they encounter challenges.
By Bernadette Khaduli
