Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga has issued a directive requiring residents of six estates in Nairobi’s Eastlands region to evacuate their residences within a two-month period. PS Hinga, in a letter to Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, specified the affected areas as Jogoo Road Phase I & II, Jamaa, Mbotela, Ahero, and Mawenzi Gardens.
“The Government is implementing the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) as part of the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). Pursuant to this, several old estates have been identified for redevelopment to increase rental stock, offer houses for sale at affordable rates, and create job opportunities for the youth,” stated PS Hinga in a notice
The evacuation aims to make room for the construction of affordable housing units, which will be made available for purchase or lease by Kenyans. Affected families, who have been occupying old government houses, are given until April 30, 2024, to relocate.
Additionally, tenants are required to leave their accommodations and clear any unpaid rent, utility bills, and service fees. PS Hinga stressed that displaced tenants would be given precedence in acquiring or leasing housing units once the redevelopment is finished.
The affordable housing initiative is a cornerstone of President William Ruto’s legacy, with a focus on creating job opportunities and meeting the high demand for housing infrastructure in Kenya.
According to State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed, since President Ruto took office, over 36,092 new housing units have been initiated, generating a significant number of jobs. Additionally, the affordable Buxton Estate housing project, initiated under the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, has been successfully handed over to buyers, marking progress in addressing housing needs.
