Officials from the affordable housing programme in Kiambu, together with the contractor, on Friday engaged Kiambu town Jua Kali artisans to sensitise them on opportunities available to them in the construction project.
Led by Kiambu County Director for Housing Charles Kiarie, the officials convened in Kiambu to explore subcontracting opportunities for Kamirithu Jua Kali artisans to supply window and door panels for the ongoing project, where it was agreed that the project would commence once funds were secured to cover the pricing gap between the contractor and artisans.
“We are here today to finalise quotations for the fabrication of metal windows and doors that will be used in the project and to sensitise the artisans on the affordable housing programme and how they can benefit from the project in order to uplift their economic standards,” Kiarie said.
“We shall also educate them on how they can acquire the housing units once they are completed,” he added.
The artisans, organised under the Jua Kali Artisans Association, comprise eight groups that successfully secured the tender to supply building components for the government-backed housing initiative.
Charles Gaikia, the Chairperson of the Jua Kali Artisans Association, expressed appreciation for the government’s support, stating that the housing project had elevated their profile and called on the government to involve their association in additional phases of the Affordable Housing Project nationwide.
“In April we received payment of Sh10 million for fabricating and supplying metal windows and doors for the first phase of the affordable housing project in Nyandarua County and we are honoured to receive yet another opportunity to do the same in Kiambu. We appreciate the government for not only addressing the country’s housing deficit but also creating employment opportunities and empowering local artisans.” He stated.
Kiambu County has allocated over 10 acres of prime land to support President William Ruto’s national affordable housing project, having prepared multiple sites for development, including the Bustani site and Depot Estate in Thika and the Council Estate in Kiambu town.
Additionally, the European Investment Bank has invested Sh3.2 billion in International Housing Solutions (HIS) Kenya to deliver over 3,000 affordable energy-efficient housing units in Kiambu, with construction already underway in Tilisi estate.
By Hellen Lunalo
