A section of Kenyans did not shy away from expressing their discontent with the announcement that 4,800 Affordable Housing units being built using the widely unpopular and opposed Housing Levy imposed on salaried Kenyans will be available for purchase from March 2025.
The Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Alice Wahome, announced on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, that the houses will be made available with a payment period of between 20 and 30 years.
Nairobi Post sampled some of the sentiments publicized by disgruntled Kenyans below:
“Payment period of 20 to 30 years and you tax Kenyans for the very houses. There’s everything wrong with this housing levy,” said Elmad Odhiambo.
“So, two years into the term, and after billions in shillings, only 4800 out of 250,000 units are complete…pwahahaha,” laughed Kavuko Kavuko.
“This housing thing is not for helping the poor move out of slams but a way the government is benefiting certain individuals at the expense of employed Kenyans. This thing is unconstitutional,” added Shiro Shi.
“Buying this houses is double edged sword. Deposit for the unit, then monthly repayment instalment and monthly deduction from pay slip. Where is the benefit for salaried worker?” asked Charlie Nyambu,
“The money to build these affordable houses comes from housing levy, then when the buyers buys the houses, where does this money goes because i think it could be fair if the employees who are forcefully deducted could be at least getting dividend or interest from their money,” opined James Wachira.
“The monthly fee is affordable but where do you expect an ordinary Kenyan to get the down payment money? How many people in Kenya can afford such an amount in a lump sum?” asked Willy Moki.
“You pay the instalments in different arrangement, as they continue with their normal monthly HL deductions…, looks double!,” continued Juma Victor.
“…and those who are not interested or can’t afford the units and are still being deducted money from their salaries by force?” said Fidelis Kyalo.
Currently, on the Boma Yangu government website where the project is being updated and units being sold to those who registered and are making payments, there are 114 units available at the Kings Sapphire in Bondeni, Nakuru County, 74 units at the Machakos Civil Servants Estate in Machakos County, 142 units at the Embu Civil Servants Estate in Embu County and 1,360 units available at the Buxton Point project located in Mvita Constituency, Mombasa County.
According to the website, there are 400 projects in the pipeline across the country but the completed ones include the aforementioned and one more in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County.
“The right to housing is embedded in the Constitution of Kenya, which provides that every person has the right to accessible and adequate housing. With Kenya’s growing economy and one of the fastest-growing urbanisation rates in the continent, the demand for housing has never been greater. This platform is intended to achieve the goals of our national housing policies to provide housing for all and bring to bear the right to safe and secure shelter,” explains the Government on Boma Yangu.
The government also says there are 30,000 active savers, 300,000 registered applicants and 200+ strategic applicants interested in the Affordable Housing projects.
To own a unit, a saver/buyer is expected to deposit 10% of the unit value to be eligible for allocation of a house; and even then, the government says the prices listed for the units are subject to change.
“Please note that the prices currently displayed on this platform are provisional and are being reviewed to align with the updated rates. We remain committed to delivering affordable housing to all Kenyans,” reads a disclaimer before a user navigates the Boma Yangu website.
