County allocates 10 acres for 700 affordable houses

Patrick Nyakundi-KNA

The County Government Makueni has allocated 10 acres for the construction of 700 houses under the Affordable Housing Scheme in Wote Town, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has disclosed.

Mutula made this announcement during celebrations to mark Mashujaa Day at Matiliku Town in Nzaui Sub-County where he emphasized that through the venture, the low- and middle-income families living in urban centres will have decent life and access quality houses in the county.

Consequently, he stated that his government is working closely with the State Department of Housing and Public Works to formalize and title various national housing schemes in Wote Town.

“This year’s Mashujaa Day theme focuses on affordable housing; a key deliverable in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) to ensure the low- and middle-income families especially in urban centres live a decent life by having access to quality housing,” Mutula said.

“We are in consultation with the State Department for Housing to ensure affordable housing is accompanied by the requisite investment in water, sewer system, roads and energy infrastructure,” he added. On the youth, the governor said his government is ready to have open dialogue, information sharing and youth participation to address the needs and priorities that they require. 

Mutula pointed out that they are going to have youth engagement forums where they will discuss and deliberate and prioritize projects for funding in the next budget cycle in the county.

“We will have engagement forums that will culminate in a county conference in December this year. This will provide an opportunity for young people to discuss and deliberate and prioritize projects for funding in the next cycle. I am very intentional in engaging and reaching out to the youth and providing opportunities to them,” he observed.

Additionally, Mutula expressed his belief in providing opportunities to the young people because they are productive and actively can participate in the economic activities across the county.

Speaking at the same event, Makueni County Commissioner (CC) Mr. Henry Wafula challenged parents to take care of their children during this festive period, saying it is their responsibility to guide them to be good citizens hence avert them becoming wayward in the community.

Speaking at the same forum, Makueni Member of Parliament (MP) Susan Kiamba called on the government to ensure the Emali-Ukia Road is tarmacked to improve transport. At the same time, Ms. Kiamba urged the government to ensure that the Thwake Multipurpose Dam is completed in a bid to provide water to the residents and help in irrigating the land to improve food security in the county. The MP called for the completion of Konza Techno City, calling for the prioritization of employment opportunities in the city.