Housing bribe: How home ownership dream has become 2027 poll campaign tool

Boma Yangu, new Mukuru housing estate. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard] If you followed Oprah Winfrey, the popular American television show host, then you remember her marketing and endearing strategy of dishing out goodies, an act that left her audience squealing with excitement, like mice in a cheese factory. It is an art President William Ruto seems to have adopted of late, and perfected - at least where affordable housing is concerned - that anyone who attends his functions gets a house, or a promise of one. And like Oprah's audience, they too, squeal, as Collins Oyuu, Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary General did at State House, when the president promised the tutors 20 per cent of the affordable housing units, among other goodies. "You have brought on board every other person in this sector to work with, and that is why, as the secretary general, on behalf of teachers, members of Knut, I want to say 'kumi bila break'," said Oyuu referencing 2027 election amid cheers and thunderous claps from the teachers. A similar pledge of allocation was also given to the police a few months ago, promising them 20 per cent of the units across the country. "As part of our policy programme, 20 per cent of all housing units being developed under affordable housing across the country will be ring-fenced for members of our disciplined forces: from the military, national police service, Kenya Prisons and National Youth Service," said President Ruto during the launch of the Central Bank of Kenya Police Housing Complex. With teachers having been promised 20 per cent, police 20 per cent and what was offered to Harambee Stars players, it looks like a majority of Kenyans who are contributing the Affordable Housing Levy kitty have slim chances of ever owning a home. Over the weekend, Ruto, in his pursuit to probably cement his re-election prospects, presided over an agreement that will prioritise teachers to own a portion of the units. His justification for the allocation is that teachers contribute the most to the affordable housing levy kitty, Sh900 million every month, and so they deserve a portion. "We are going to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between teachers and ministry so that we can implement this 20 per cent for teachers," he said. For the Harambee Stars players, the President allocated them each a two bedroom house valued at Sh2 million. While the affordable housing programme is taxpayer funded, where salaried workers are deducted 1.5 per cent of their gross pay monthly, recent events suggest that the programme has since morphed into a political tool. Dismas Mokua, a political analyst, notes that it would be naive not to expect President Ruto to use the programme as a campaign tool, considering that it is one of the policy reviews he has implemented that seems to be bearing fruit. He said teachers and police are a key cog in politics and would be the best bet as ambassadors to display how well Ruto's policies are working. "Teachers and law enforcement officers will make affordable housing a kitchen table conversation. This is a key 2027 success factor especially if teachers and law enforcement officers appreciate the raison d'etre of affordable housing programme which includes but not limited to increasing housing supply besides employment and wealth creation opportunities," he said. Javas Bigambo, a governance expert, holds the same position. He says signing of the MoU with teachers is a sign that the affordable housing programme, which once left a bad taste in the mouth, is now jelling with the population. He said the President is using the programme to demonstrate to the naysayers that he made promises and delivered on them. "They (teachers, police and Harambee Stars players) will be the crusaders that actually the President promised and he delivered," said Bigambo. "What the President is doing is taking the popularisation of affordable housing and their benefits an extra mile, to demonstrate that the units have been completed and can be occupied." But Prof Naituli Gitile, a political analyst and lecturer on leadership, says the 'everybody gets a house' strategy by the President is typical of his campaign strategy and goes contrary to the law that dictates how the units should be allocated. "It just shows how casually he treats the law. If now it is the teachers, what about the police, the army, other civil servants, lecturers, agricultural officers?" he posed. These allocations overlap with other pledges already made by the President and seconded by government officers in charge. For example, during Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay, Ruto announced that he will propose a change in the law that would allow those contributing to the affordable housing levy to access 'cheap' loans to purchase" the homes. He said in recognition and appreciation of the sacrifice made by Kenyans through their contributions to the housing levy, a proposal will be tabled in Parliament to amend the law so that any contributor can access an affordable home loan of up to Sh5 million, at a single digit interest rate, applicable towards any housing unit in the market. "This facility will also enable contributors offset existing mortgages, offering greater flexibility in their housing journey and allow many to significantly ease their home financing costs," he said. At a Parliamentary session held at the Coast, Housing and Urban Planning Principal Secretary Charles Hinga mentioned that contributors of the levy will be prioritised on intervention by the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu). The proposal by Cotu also sought to reduce the required deposit from 10 to five per cent of the price of the unit, which the PS said was accommodated. "Also, we have agreed with them that they will be prioritised when allocation starts. If you contribute by paying the housing levy, you will be prioritised," said the PS. Teachers make up the largest population of public servants, as latest data from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) shows. "Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has consistently remained the largest public service employer, registering the highest growth in employment at 5.2 per cent, where its employees increased from 390,400 in 2023, to 410,700 employees in 2024," says SRC in its latest publication on public wage trends. This then explains why the President argued that they contribute the most to the housing levy kitty, which hit Sh120 billion in June since it was introduced. In the latest pay deal with the government, teachers pay between Sh537 and Sh3,500 as an affordable housing levy. From the pay deal, teachers are entitled to a housing allowance of between Sh3,200 for the lowest paid to Sh50,000 for the highest paid in job group D5.

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