President William Ruto began a large project to build affordable houses for many Kenyans. The goal was to help people who live in poor conditions or have no homes at all. Many believed this plan would change lives and solve housing problems in the country.
However, according to a report by Kenyans.co.ke, experts are now raising concerns that the project is not doing well. These experts are from the Architectural Association of Kenya, a group made up of professionals who design and plan buildings.
Their leader, Mr. George Ndege, has said the government is not involving the right people in the project.
Mr. Ndege says the government is more focused on collecting money and giving jobs to contractors than on making sure the houses are properly designed. He believes architects and planners are being ignored, even though they have the knowledge to make sure houses are strong and safe.
As a result, many houses are not built well. Some projects have stopped before completion, and very few houses have been finished. Out of all the houses promised, only about one percent have been completed. This number is too small and not enough for the thousands of families that need homes.
The experts say the government should work with architects and planners from the beginning of each project. This would help make sure the houses are well-designed, long-lasting, and truly affordable.
They also suggest that the government should not fix one price for every house. Instead, people should be allowed to pay slowly depending on their income.
Many Kenyan families do not earn enough money to make large payments, so a flexible payment plan would help more people benefit from the project.
Another expert, Professor Alfred Omenya, says that if these problems are not fixed, the whole housing plan could fail.
He gives an example from South Africa where people were given cheap houses, but because there were no basic services like water or electricity, and there were no jobs nearby, many families ended up selling or renting out their homes.
In the end, the houses did not help them improve their lives.Professor Omenya also says that people who receive these houses should be taught how to take care of them. They need to know how to pay bills and maintain their homes so they do not end up losing them.
He believes that without this training, many people might not manage to keep their houses.The experts are asking the government to create a team of skilled professionals to guide the entire housing project.
They believe that with the right planning, the houses can be strong, safe, and helpful for poor families who really need them. The success of the project will depend on good planning, involving experts, and listening to the needs of the people.
