Kakamega County constructs free houses for elderly women

NASA Presidential candidate Raila Odinga (right) and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya

The county government of Kakamega has constructed 360 free houses for elderly women under the shelter improvement program.

The beneficiaries also received a mattress and two blankets from the devolved government.

According to the acting county Youth and Social Service Executive Robert Sumbi, the one bed-roomed house costed Sh91,000 each.

"We selected six women per ward to benefit from the shelter improvement programme. We hired county polytechnic students to construct the houses across the county," said Sumbi.

Governor Wycliffe Oparanya affirmed his commitment to boost the welfare of the less privileged in the county.

He noted that programme will last for five years to ensure no needy family languishes in cold due to lack of shelter.

"In each financial year we will construct 360 affordable houses for the needy. We will then provide them with free mattresses and blankets," indicated Oparanya.

Elizabeth Akinyi one of the beneficiaries lauded the county government for the programme.
 

She said for years she has been staying in a 'shanty' house struggling to make ends meet.

"I am very happy because I have my own house. I have been suffering but that suffering has ended after the county government constructed a house for me," said Akinyi.

The shelter improvement programme targets the elderly, widows and the needy in the society who are unable to cater for themselves.