Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development CS James Macharia alongside Ag Interior CS Fred Matiang'i during launch of police, prison service housing project, December 21, 2017. [Photo|MoT]"SPEECH BY MR. James Wainaina Macharia, EGH, CABINET SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ON COMMISSIONING OF THE NATIONAL POLICE AND KENYA PRISONS SERVICES HOUSING PROJECT ON WEDNESDAY 20TH DECEMBER, 2017 AT PRESIDENTIAL ESCORT UNIT – RUIRU Cabinet Colleague, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, EGHPrincipal Secretaries present Mr. Joseph Boinnet, Inspector General of National Police ServiceMr. Isaiah Osugo, Commissioner General of Kenya Prison Services, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted to join you in commissioning the National Police and Kenya Prisons Services housing project. This first phase comprised of 1,050 housing units spread over six sites and is part of the initial pilot phase which had a total of 1,850 housing units. The balance of 800 units are ongoing and will be completed by February next year. Today, therefore, marks a major milestone in the efforts the Government has put in place to ensure that the officers in the disciplined services are adequately housed as they perform their crucial role of providing security.Ladies and Gentlemen, Countries worldwide, Kenya is no exception, have been experiencing rapid urbanization. As a result, the demand for housing has continued to increase. This is further complicated by increasing urban poverty, shortage of serviced land and adequate financial resources. The result is evidenced by the mushrooming slums and informal settlements. It is in recognition of these challenges that the Constitution of Kenya (2010) entrenched housing as a human right. In addition, Kenya Vision 2030 aims at providing the country’s population with adequate and decent housing in a sustainable environment. This is also in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 which recognizes the right to adequate housing as an important component of the right to adequate standards of living. The Government is therefore at the forefront of ensuring that the right to housing is achieved progressively. Access to decent housing can be achieved, but we have to explore all the possible alternatives to home ownership.Ladies and Gentlemen; We note that Kenya’s housing sector has been very vibrant in the last few years. Despite this vibrancy, there is still a severe shortage of affordable housing to many, especially urban dwellers. Expansion of slums and informal settlements is a clear indicator that a lot requires being done to address this challenge. I am also aware that the current housing need for the National Police Service stands at over 70,000 housing units while that of the Kenya Prisons Service is at over 16,000 housing units making a total of about 90,000 housing units. Bearing in mind that about 10,000 new officers graduate each year, we have no choice but to put in more resources and effort to address their housing needs. To this end, we have purposed to be innovative and the houses we are commissioning today are built using Industrial Building Systems and not normal traditional systems.These are factory made panels that are faster, environmentally friendly, reduce the cost of construction by 30% and reduces construction period. We shall, therefore, continue to explore other innovative construction materials and methods to further reduce time and cost while maintaining quality.Distinguished guests,To further respond to the housing needs, the Government has come up with several initiatives to enable the private sector continue to play its role in the housing sector. The government will continue to play the role of an enabler, partner, and catalyst in the housing delivery process. For example, through the 2016 Finance Act, developers were given a major tax incentive after Parliament approved a reduction of Corporation tax from 30% to 15% for developers who construct a minimum of 400 housing units in a year. The move was meant to bridge the housing gap and support construction of decent and low-cost housing. Around the same period, the government scrapped the National Construction Authority (NCA) and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) levies. All these are meant to boost housing developments. Further, the National Government is also encouraging Counties to invest in social housing to cater for the influx of people moving to the County headquarters from the rural areas in search of jobs and business opportunities. Ladies and Gentlemen,The Jubilee Government has committed to facilitate mass housing production of 500,000 housing units in 5 years comprising of both low cost, affordable housing and social housing across the country by working in partnership with financial institutions, private developers, manufacturers of building materials and housing cooperatives. This programme will commence with construction of 8,000 housing units pilot project at Mavoko which will be launched next year while redevelopment of 200,000 houses in slum areas commencing with Kibera, Mariguini, Kiambiu will start next year.Ladies and Gentlemen, The Government is committed to providing a home for each and every Kenya in order to provide dignity to her citizens. We have put all necessary mechanism including addressing issues that have been impediments to the housing delivery. These include developing land bank and amending laws that have slowed housing development. Creation of National Housing Development Fund and mortgage Re-Financing Company that will provide necessary funding for the programme. We note that there are about 25,000 mortgages in Kenya which indicate the unaffordability of mortgage facilities. I challenge the financial institutions to develop affordable mortgage product for the 500,000 houses considering the development of houses as both corporate social responsibility and investment opportunity. In conclusion, we want to assure the disciplined forces that the Government is committed to providing decent houses and discussion with financial institutions and development partners are ongoing to upscale the delivery of houses to address the demand which as I said stand at about 100,000 houses.I take this opportunity to thank His Excellency the President for giving priority to this sector, The National Treasury, Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, the Contractors and other partners for the efforts they have put in place to ensure that the National Police and Kenya Prisons Services Housing Programme is implemented successfully.I now take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.Thank You."

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