Celebrated economist David Ndii has dismissed President Uhuru Kenyatta's government policy to have all Kenyans on payroll pay 1.5 percent to National Housing Fund Development.
On Tuesday, Transport and Housing ministry ran an advert that requires all companies to start implementation of the plan this May, a move that has caused uproar.
Federation of Kenya Employers through CEO Jackline Mugo has already dismissed the gazette notice as fake, insisting that there is an active court order barring the government from initiating the programme.
“The notice by the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works in conjunction with Kenya Revenue Authority has issued a go-head on the implementation of the Housing Fund Levy with effect from May 9, 2019. This is contrary to the court orders which are still in force,” said Ms Mugo in a statement.
President Uhuru Kenyatta is keen to implement his housing plan as he rushes to stamp authority on his legacy. Housing is one of the Big Four agenda on the president's manifesto.
But Ndii has questioned the motive, arguing that it cannot work given the prevailing circumstances. He also insists that those advising the government on serious economic policies.
"Who thinks for this government? How do you justify forcing a minimum wage tea picker in Kericho or waiter in Kwale to finance middle class housing in Nairobi? " wondered Ndii.
Uhuru is struggling to fund his Big Four agenda, with the Parliamentary budget committee warning that his plan cannot be funded due to the country's ballooning debts. Currently, the debt has hit 6 trillion.
Dr Ndii has been critical of Uhuru's government policies, with the haste implementationI of Huduma Namba registration also attracting his criticism. He accuses government of putting energy on non issues.