Hinga insists COTU supported housing policy in ongoing back-and-forth

PS for State Department for Housing and Urban Development Charles Hinga before the Housing ,Urban Planning & Public Works committee at Parliament buildings,Nairobi . May 21st,2024. [Elvis Ogina,Standard]

Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga has dismissed claims that the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) was not involved in drafting the Affordable Housing Regulations.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Hinga said the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development followed due process in engaging all relevant stakeholders, including COTU, as required under the Affordable Housing Act, 2024.

“COTU-K voluntarily forwarded Earnest Nadome’s name to be its representative in the formulation of the enabling regulations and participated in the process alongside other stakeholders,” said Hinga, adding that the law guarantees workers a seat on the Affordable Housing Board.

Hinga's sentiments follow  remarks by COTU distancing itself from the controversy surrounding the Affordable Housing regulations.

In a statement dated June 6, COTU denied the assertion that it was consulted or participated in drafting the regulations guiding the implementation of the Affordable Housing levy.

The union maintained that it had no hand in shaping the current policy and challenged Hinga to prove his remarks.

“As COTU, we have never been consulted either formally or informally, in the development, review, or approval of the current Affordable Housing Regulations,” said COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli.

"At no point did the Executive Board, which is a legally mandated organ responsible for such organisational decisions, sit to deliberate or resolve to support the said regulations."

COTU further distanced itself from Nadome’s representation on the Affordable Housing Board, saying his role does not equate to the union's official position.

“It is dangerous and frankly dishonest to equate the presence of one individual on a board to the institutional position of COTU,” the union said, adding that the PS should table evidence such as minutes or board resolutions if such consultation indeed occurred.

The union also questioned the scope of the law, warning that allowing housing levy funds to be used for broader infrastructure projects risks diluting the core goal of providing homes for Kenyan workers.

However, according to Hinga, the notion that the housing levy will fund non-housing components is misguided.

“Delivering affordable housing is more than just building homes, it includes roads, water, electricity, schools, markets and hospitals that create dignity and functionality in communities,” he said.