I will implement housing project at any cost- Ruto

By Phares Mutembei | 3mos ago

President William Ruto on Friday renewed his resolve to make his affordable housing plan a reality even after he suffered a setback at the Court of Appeal which declined reverse a High Court decision that the housing levy is illegal.

Justices Lydia Achode, John Mativo and Mwaniki Gachoka failed to extend an order sought by the government to allow it continue collecting the house levy, saying the decision was based on public interest.

“Public interest in our view tilts favour in not granting the stay or the suspension sought. Public interest tilts in favour of awaiting the determination of the issues raised in the intended appeals,” stated the justices.

But speaking in the Igembe, Meru on the second day of his tour in of the county, President Ruto said he was determined to see the housing plan succeed even as he told off those who sought to block it in court.

Accompanied by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, area governor Kawira Mwangaza, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa and Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi, Dr Ruto said his goal was to provide jobs for millions of young people while making it easy for Kenyans to access decent housing.

“Those who have gone to court have jobs and their families are secure. There is no greater public interest than to create jobs for the youth of this country. I want to say without any doubt that this project will create jobs in manufacturing, construction and various other sectors,” he said.

He said his housing plan had a potential to create 500,000 jobs annually for young people who have academic qualifications.

“There is no greater public interest than the opportunity to create jobs for millions of young people who are out of school with diplomas and degrees. They do not have meaningful income because they don’t have jobs,” he said.

He said his manifesto that ensured Kenyans voted in his administration in the last election had the housing plan that he was keen to fulfill. The president said that already, 130,000 young people had gained employment in the project.

“Our plan is to have 300,000 people working by the end of this year. We already have 130,000 people working on this plan,” he said.

He said the parties that sought to block his vision through the courts had the opportunities that millions of underprivileged Kenyans lacked.

“Many of them have jobs, their children have jobs. They want to deny the opportunity for millions of young people from poor families citizens who have never had a chance to work. I want to tell them that we want to make sure that we create equity and equality in the republic of Kenya by affording every person an opportunity to work, the head of state said.

Mr Ichung’wa said while they respect the court’s decision, they are committed to ensure the housing project goes ahead as planned.