The Affordable Housing bill has prompted the parliament to organize public hearings through the Departmental Committees on Finance and National Planning, along with the Committee on Housing, Urban Planning, and Public Works.
A collaborative effort will be made to gather public input during a two-week period, commencing on Wednesday, January 17 and concluding on January 31.
During the scheduled hearings, Members of Parliament (MPs) will conduct visits to 19 counties, including Narok, Embu, Homabay, Kiambu, Vihiga, Kisii, Kirinyaga, Machakos, Uasin Gishu, and Turkana.
Additionally, lawmakers will seek public views in other devolved units such as Baringo, Nairobi, Wajir, Nakuru, Nyandarua, Tana River, Kilifi, Nairobi, and Mombasa Counties.
This initiative follows National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah’s defense against accusations of the House violating court orders in its pursuit of public participation across 12 counties on the Affordable Housing Bill, 2023.
Last month, the High Court in Kisumu issued conservatory orders restraining public participation in the manner outlined in the initial advertisement until the case is resolved.
MP Kimani Ichung’wah clarified that the Kisumu High Court’s order pertained solely to the specific method indicated in the published notice, which had requested written submissions from the public.
He emphasized that the orders did not prohibit Parliament from engaging in alternative forms of public participation, including conducting public hearings throughout different regions of Kenya or engaging with various stakeholders such as experts, workers, employers, political parties, civil society, and marginalized communities.
