Raila Odinga Donates 5-Acre Land to Ruto's Govt for Affordable Housing Programme
- ODM leader Raila Odinga seems to be approving of President William Ruto's Affordable Housing Programme after a while of campaigning against it
- Raila offered a five-acre tract from his family land to the government to undertake the housing programme in Makasembo, Kisumu county
- The donated land will host at least 750 units, according to the president, who said it would enhance the creation of jobs
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After years of admonishing the government for undertaking the Affordable Housing Programme, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga seems to be endorsing it.
Source: Twitter
Raila had earlier faulted the pet project of President William Ruto for being under the national government, arguing that it ought to be a function of the county government.
Where did Raila donate land?
However, on Thursday, May 29, Ruto revealed that Raila had given up a tract from his family's vast land to allow for the construction of housing units.
The president, while addressing residents of Kisumu, in the presence of Raila and other local leaders, expressed gratitude to the veteran politician, yet again underscoring their camaraderie after years of political enmity.
The donated land is expected to host at least 750 units in the Makasembo Estate.
"Today, I have come to Kisumu with Raila to launch another affordable housing programme, through which we will build 750 additional houses. Raila Odinga has given us five acres of his land so that we can build affordable housing for the people of Kisumu to benefit. On behalf of the government of Kenya, I thank Raila Odinga for donating the land to us," the president said.
Raila accompanied the president in inspecting the completed projects in the county.
Why Raila supports Affordable Housing Programme
Raila, while acknowledging the plan, said it would help enhance the economy of the region.
He noted that the housing programme is essential, as its actualisation would guarantee the basic needs of the public.
Besides, the programme was going to generate employment and other subsidiary ventures that would earn locals income.
"This is a progressive government project. Because we all know that a human has five basic needs; the right to life, food, shelter, health and education. The Affordable Housing Programme covers all that, and it will also generate jobs for our people. We want to eradicate poverty in this region," Raila said.
Raila's lenience on the programme came after his reservations on it.
Source: Twitter
Besides advocating for housing to be left for the counties, the ODM leader is on record faulting a specific tax regime which the president introduced to fund the programme.
Raila wondered why all Kenyans' payslips were being raided, yet not all would be handed the houses.
Why Ruto has held onto affordable housing programme
Despite the opposition to housing and the setbacks he has suffered in court against the programme, Ruto has lived to insist that the plan would change the lives of Kenyans.
According to him, by the end of his tenure in office, every Kenyan will have a dignified shelter.
He said the housing programme would eradicate the slums in the near future.
For instance, in Nairobi's Kibera slums, the government intends to put up at least 40,000 units to house the population there.
The president targets hundreds of thousands of units by the end of the 2027/28 fiscal year.
How many people were given houses in Mukuru?
On May 20, President William Ruto handed over 1080 affordable housing units to Mukuru residents, describing the occasion as the most consequential moment of his political career.
Mukuru is one of the largest slums in Nairobi, where residents face congestion, inadequate housing, insecurity, water shortages, lack of toilets and other basic amenities.
To change the fortunes of the people of Mukuru, the government is constructing a 13,248-unit New Mukuru Housing Estate, which will become the largest real estate project in Kenya's history upon completion.
The president announced that there are 200 similar housing projects currently at various stages of construction across the country.
While the head of state has lauded the project as a game changer, a section of Kenyans has criticised it as "extravagant and unnecessary".
Masolo Mabonga, HOD politics and current affairs, updated this story with details on the Mukuru housing project.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
