Kisumu residents did not hold back when Principal Secretary Charles Hinga tried to sell them on the government’s affordable housing program.
While speaking at an event, Hinga explained that people could own a housing unit for just 3,000 Kenyan shillings. The crowd responded with loud chants of “Uongoo,” a local term for lies or nonsense.
The moment captured the deep frustration many Kenyans feel toward promises that seem out of touch with their daily struggles.
Life in Kisumu, like in many Kenyan towns, is tough for ordinary families. Rent takes a big part of their income, and finding decent, affordable homes remains a challenge.
The government has pushed the Affordable Housing Programme as a solution. It aims to build thousands of units across the country, including projects like Lumumba in Kisumu.
Officials say the program will help working people become homeowners through small monthly payments and the housing levy deducted from salaries.
Yet when Hinga stood at the podium and made his pitch, the reaction was immediate and clear.
Residents were not convinced. Many see the 3,000 shillings figure as too good to be true given the high cost of building materials, land, and construction today. Others worry about the mandatory levy that takes money from their payslips every month.
They question whether the houses will actually be built in enough numbers and at prices they can truly manage. Stories of delays, poor quality in some projects, and political interference have made people skeptical.
This incident in Kisumu highlights a bigger problem. The government has talked a lot about delivering homes for all, but trust is low.
People want to see real progress on the ground, not just speeches. Many workers already struggle with rising prices for food, transport, and other basics.
Adding a levy without clear, quick results feels like another burden instead of help.
Opposition voices have fueled the doubt by calling the program a political tool, though the core issue is whether it meets the needs of average citizens.Hinga and other officials urge Kenyans to register and ignore what they call misinformation.
They point to ongoing projects as proof that the plan is working. Some units have been completed and handed over in different parts of the country. Supporters say the program is one of the biggest attempts in years to tackle the housing shortage that affects millions.
Still, moments like the one in Kisumu show the gap between government claims and public reality. Residents are tired of being told things will get better while their lives stay hard.
