Days after COTU boss Francis Atwoli raised serious concerns about the housing levy, the government has come out strongly to defend its position. Atwoli warned that new rules recently passed by MPs could allow the housing levy money, which runs into billions, to be misused.
According to him, the funds might end up being spent on other things not related to the main goal of the Affordable Housing plan. He pointed out that the new regulations, which have not yet been approved by the Attorney General, could be a big risk.
Atwoli explained that these regulations now include other types of developments like health centres, schools, police posts, social halls, markets, and even open spaces. He said all these could be built using the housing levy funds, which was not the original intention.
In his words, he felt this change could open a door for mismanagement and allow leaders to use the money for political interests or irrelevant projects. His biggest worry was that Kenyan workers, who are the ones contributing to this levy, might end up being robbed of their chance to own houses under the government plan.
However, just three days later, on June 6, Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga came out to dismiss Atwoli’s claims. Hinga said that COTU was part of the team that helped come up with the current law.
According to him, it was strange that COTU was now complaining because they had been included in the discussions from the beginning. He stated clearly that COTU representatives were present during the drafting of the regulations and had a say in what was included.
Hinga also explained why some of the funds may need to be used for things other than just building houses. He argued that it doesn’t make sense to build houses far away from essential services like clinics, schools, and markets.
He said that for the housing programme to succeed, it must also provide these necessary services so that Kenyans can live comfortably in those areas. He reminded the public that the law actually talks about affordable housing and associated projects, meaning it was always expected to include more than just houses.
Even though Atwoli believes that using the funds this way is unfair to workers, Hinga sees it differently. He said that it is the same workers who will benefit from these other services. If workers get houses but have no nearby schools or markets, then the plan has not fully helped them, he argued.
According to Hinga, the extra services are part of a complete package that will improve lives.COTU is still not convinced and has asked the government to stop the process and begin fresh talks that include all workers. They want to make sure that the housing levy is used only for its original purpose and that workers are not taken for granted.
Meanwhile, President William Ruto is continuing with the housing plan across the country. He recently launched new housing units in Mukuru and gave out keys to more than 1,000 families.
