Kericho affordable housing project to employ over 2,000 locals

The first phase of the project will deliver 320 Affordable Housing units. [File]

About 2,000 residents of Kericho County are set to benefit from the first project under the Affordable Housing Program.

The Talai affordable housing project was launched by President Ruto on Thursday, March 14, and is also set to solve the shortage of houses in the expanding county.

"We are eliminating slums, creating jobs for our youth, and making more land available for agriculture through the Affordable Housing Project that we are implementing," President Ruto said.

The first phase of the project will deliver 320 Affordable Housing units alongside a commercial area and a mixed-use commercial development.

The State Department for Housing and Urban Development has partnered with Pandaa Enterprises for the development of the housing units.

Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said the project targets to provide direct employment to about 2000 locals as well as over 5,000 indirectly.

The cheapest is priced at Sh1,260,000 with monthly tenant purchase payments of Sh4,800 while the most expensive will retail at Sh5,760,000.

Hinga explained that the Affordable Housing Program is designed to not only address the housing crisis in the Country but also to provide employment opportunities.

The PS added that the Department in partnership with the developer has engaged approximately 300 Jua Kali artisans so that they can supply some materials.

County elected leaders appealed to the residents to seize the opportunities urging the developer and state to ensure that locals secure at least 90 percent of the available jobs.