Ruto Assents to New Affordable Housing Bill

By Samuel Ouma

Kenyan President William Ruto has signed the Affordable Housing Bill into law.

The Affordable Housing Act establishes a framework for collecting the housing levy and implementing the affordable housing programme.

President Ruto said that implementing the Affordable Housing Programme would transform the lives of Kenyans at the bottom of the pyramid by creating jobs, providing decent housing, and reducing agricultural land fragmentation.

Speaking at State House Nairobi after appending his signature to the Bill, the Kenyan leader commended the National Assembly and Senate for working tirelessly to pass it.

“I want to appreciate Parliament and Kenyans for their input in the Bill that I have just signed into law,” said President Ruto.

He pointed out that the housing programme will ensure families across the country live dignifiedly.

The Bill's enactment will allow Kenyans to gain access to various types of low-cost housing. These include affordable social housing units for individuals with a monthly income of less than Ksh20,000 ($150).

There will also be affordable housing units for those earning between Ksh20,000 ($150) and Ksh140,000 per month ($1053), affordable middle-class housing units for individuals earning more than Ksh40,000 ($1053) per month, and rural affordable housing units for residents living in non-urban areas.

According to the bill, priority will be given to slum areas to ensure decent housing.