Jua Kali Contractors National Umbrella Organization and slum-based lobbies held a peaceful protest on Thursday in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) to pledge their support for the construction of affordable housing units.
The protestors, led by Jua Kali Association chairperson Peter Muema Muthaka, who presented their petition to Parliament, say that the residential house construction sector is where they get their daily meal.
“We have over 700,000 members who have registered to offer various types of skilled labor in the housing industry; we have over 50 construction sites; we are asking, if all these are stopped, where will all these people who rely on this project, directly or indirectly, go?” he asked.
Some of the protesters carried placards with the message, “Tumechoka kulipia bafu and choo (we are tired of paying to use the bathroom and toilet). We support Housing Levy,” while others were on top of trucks carrying ballast that is used in the construction of houses.
Police provided security as the protesters moved around several major streets in the CBD, chanting their support for the 1.5 percent tax deduction imposed on working Kenyans. Some of the protestors urged the president and his deputy to be relentless and implement the housing project.
“Housing Levi is the cure for better housing. Do not take away our livelihood. Tujenge nyumba tuimarishe uchumi wetu (Let’s build houses and grow our economy),” read the placards.
Recently, the High Court said the government had not provided a rational explanation for why it had imposed the housing levy only on workers with employment in the formal sector.
“The introduction of the housing levy… is discriminatory, irrational, and arbitrary and is in violation… of the constitution,” Judge David Majanja said.
All employees, whether on permanent and pensionable terms or on contract-based engagements, started contributing to the Affordable Housing Fund in July 2023.
