Affordable Housing Board officials guide locals on home buying process

The Affordable Housing Board (AHB) has launched a week-long open forum aimed at educating Kenyans on how to acquire homes that are ready for occupancy.

Board officials have been engaging with the public in Makenji, Ol Kalau, Gichugu, and Nanyuki to address various concerns, especially in light of the misinformation circulating about the process.

The engagement will conclude tomorrow (Friday), with locals receiving guidance on how to apply for homeownership via the Boma Yangu platform.

At Majeki market in Kandara, Murang’a, the public participation session was led by the Murang’a County Housing Director, Lareen Wasungu, and Collins Makani from the board.

They informed the community about how the completion of 220 housing units will help boost the local economy.

One potential homebuyer, Neri Kinuthia, expressed frustration with the slow progress of the project, which was launched by President William Ruto on February 15 of last year.

"I’ve been making my monthly contributions, and it will be passed on to my son, who will need the energy to climb the stairs," said Kinuthia.

Wasungu reassured the public, stating that the project is expected to be finished by the end of the year, with 53 percent of the work already completed.

Wasungu urged prospective homeowners to ignore the false information spread by critics.

"Once the project is completed, homeowners will shop locally, which will boost the local economy," she said.

However, some residents raised concerns about delays in wage payments to the casual workers involved in the project, as well as perceived unfairness in the recruitment process.

Resident Patrick Gakuna appealed to the AHB to consider reducing the deposit from 10 % to 5%, making it easier for small-scale traders, like "mama mboga," to apply for homes in the affordable housing project.

"The project will bring benefits, and it would be wise for the people of Kandara to own some of the houses, but only if the deposit is lowered," Gakuna said.

Meanwhile, Mzee Gachanja Mugo shared with the board that the project had helped reduce the crime rate, as many of the youth had been engaged in the housing construction work.

"I am happy to report that petty crimes are long gone after the youth got engaged. We are pleading with the government to explore more projects in the locality, focusing on empowering the youth,” said Mugo, a village elder."