Jubilee Party Secretary General (SG) Raphael Tuju has backed the 1.5 percent housing levy that the government intends to deduct from salaried Kenyans in public and private sector starting next month.

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Tuju says Kenyans should not take the levy as a deduction but as a saving scheme for good housing.

Speaking on Citizen TV News Night on Tuesday, Tuju said the levy is a good idea, noting that it is being implemented in other countries across the world.

"It is a good thing that Kenyans should embrace because it is happening in other places like Singapore," he said.

Tuju noted that the country is facing a serious shortage of housing especially for low income earners.

Employers will be required to deduct and submit the levy to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) every 9th of each month starting in May.

The deductions will be based on the employees monthly basic salary and shall not exceed Sh5000.

Kenyans are also encouraged to make voluntary contributions of Sh200 every month to the housing scheme.

The Houisng fund levy will be used to facilitate cheap and affordable housing for Kenyans.

The project is part of President Uhuru Kenyatta's Big Four development  agenda.

The housing levy deductions has elicited mixed reactions from Kenyans and leaders.

The Federation of Kenya Employers (FKF) has however faulted the government decision to start making deductions when a case on the same is still pending in court.