CS James Macharia.[Photo/nation]
The Housing and Urban Development Ministry has shortlisted 35 firms who are meant to partner with the government in bringing up 1 million houses in the next five years at a cost of Sh2.6 trillion.
The Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has stated that the government will leverage on the private sector to source the funds and execute the project..
Macharia stated that a total of 60 construction companies from the private sector had presented themselves to be part of the project and to team up with the ministry shortlisting 35 based on merit.
He, however, did not reveal which companies which will be constructing the houses.
The government launches the pilot scheme next month in Mavoko with actual projects set to be constructed in various locations including Kitengela and Athi River and also in other counties.
“A lot of land is wasted like in Eastlands because there are single units which take up a few people. We want to negotiate with county governments so that they can bring down those houses so that we can put up 16-20 storey buildings and serve more people.”
The CS said that there is a raft of new proposals which will be brought forward to kick forward the goals are met as per the law.
“Urban Cities and Areas Act, for instance, will be presented to Parliament soon. There will also be sectionals papers and changing of laws especially on land utilization where people with idle land can be penalized.”
Macharia was speaking during the launch of the National Urban Forum.
Affordable housing is one of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s ‘Big 4 Action Plan’ during his second term as President and others include food security, manufacturing and affordable healthcare for all.