By Peter Ochieng
President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration on Friday got a major reprieve after the High court declined to stop implementation of the Affordable Housing Act, 2023.
President Ruto signed the Affordable Housing Bill, 2023 into law on Tuesday, signalling a return of the 1.5 percent housing levy which had initially been suspended by the court.
Five petitioners moved to court on Wednesday seeking conservatory orders stopping Implementation of the Affordable Housing Act.
The petitioners; Benjamin Magare, Pauline Kinyanjui, Philemon Nyakundi, Shallum Nyakundi and Jamlick Orina who identify themselves as Nakuru residents moved to court to oppose the Act, claiming that it attempts to introduce communist ideologies.
“The Affordable Housing Act 2024, essentially tries to introduce communist ideologies yet, there is nowhere in the constitution which allows the government to introduce communist ideologies. Kenya is not a communist state and the constitution does not envisage it,” they said.
In his rulling,bJustice Chacha Mwita directed that the matter of the pleadings be served to all parties immediately.
The parties will make their submission on 16th, May 2023, which means Kenyans in formal employment will be deducted 1.5 percent of their salaries at the end of this month.
Speaking during the presidential assent event at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Lands and Housing Alice Wahome said over 120,000 youth are already working at affordable housing units across the country.
“Over 120,000 young men and women working in these sites. We anticipate that by the time the balance of 48,000 units is put in place, close to 300,000 youths will be working at our sites. Your Excellency, by signing this bill today, you have opened doors for low-income earners to start earning,” she said.
“Your Excellency, under your leadership, we currently have 45,525 units under construction. For contracting purposes and tendering, we have already advertised 48,988 housing units,” she added.
The court rulling now allows President Ruto’s government to forge ahead with the Affordable Housing program.