Kenya's Senate orders project-by-project audit of affordable housing programme
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Kenya's Senate has launched an inquiry into the affordable housing programme, demanding a project-by-project audit of costs, expenditure and unit allocations across all 47 counties.
Kenya's Senate has launched an inquiry into the implementation of the Affordable Housing Programme, President William Ruto's flagship housing project, with lawmakers demanding a project-by-project audit of expenditure, construction costs, the allocation of completed units and the programme's management across the 47 counties.
Marsabit Senator Mohammed Chute petitioned the Senate's Housing Committee to establish whether the government is delivering value for money through the programme, which is partly funded by a mandatory 1.5 per cent housing levy deducted from workers' salaries.
Chute asked the committee to address the operational status of County Rural and Urban Affordable Housing Committees in each county, including their composition, dates of establishment and whether they have developed five-year affordable housing investment programmes. Under the Affordable Housing Act, the committees are expected to coordinate housing investments and ensure projects respond to local needs.
The inquiry is also expected to establish the original estimated cost of individual projects against their actual costs, the occupancy status of completed units and the criteria used to identify allottees. Chute further wants the Ministry of Housing to provide an itemised breakdown of approved project budgets against actual expenditure so far.
Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot backed the inquiry, saying the House had done its part by approving the legislation required for the Executive to implement the project, while warning against politicising the programme. The committee is also expected to establish outstanding bills, funding arrangements and the contractors involved in construction.
The programme is a central pillar of the government's economic transformation agenda, with a target of constructing 250,000 housing units annually. The inquiry will examine whether the initiative is delivering affordable homes to its intended beneficiaries and how public funds are being managed.