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{
"id": 1500027,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1500027/?format=api",
"text_counter": 218,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Alice Wahome",
"speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development",
"speaker": null,
"content": "We are working with the counties because housing is a mandate of the county governments. Where we have the division headquarters, we prefer to do at least 1,000 units minimum because of the population number. On work in progress, we are identifying the sites. The information I have is that by January, we will be procuring some housing programmes for Narok County. We are working with your governor and maybe also the Members of Parliament on board. The next question was the question by Sen. Crystal Asige. Hon. Senator, if I understand you well, your concern was on the steps are we taking to ensure that our houses comply with all requirements, including requirements, and most importantly, requirements for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) for purposes of access and use of those houses. The initial plan was G (Ground) plus 4, which is allowed without a lift; that is a maximum of 5 floors, G plus 4. However, we have changed most of these designs now. We have realized that because land is scarce, if we have space, instead of doing G plus 4, we do G plus nine, G plus 15 or G plus 20. There are places where we have gone up to 21 floors. Those will have lifts. For example, Mukuru, I think is G 20 or 22 floors. They are high blocks and we are installing lifts, and then we ensure that the ground around, the social amenities and the shared common areas are also accessible, including ramps in the houses. Another question is on allocation and how will we ensure that PWD will not just see a programme come and they do not get it. There are applicants like everybody else, but we need to treat them with the sensitivities allowed within the law. Therefore, they will be allocated following those regulations and the law as it is. I believe that no discrimination will happen. It will also depend on where you want to stay. I assure you that in terms of quotas, we also want to see that the women and youths are encouraged to apply. We are very happy to encourage the youth, especially the ones who are building these houses because they can afford it through the money they are getting every year. The question that often comes is how can we expect Mama Mboga, a boda boda person, or Mama Kiosk to afford a house that is Kshs800,000. The pricing is Kshs800,000. The very small ones are Kshs740,000, but this is money you pay within 20, 25, up to 30 years. What the market people who are criticizing our programme are not saying is that without a job or security, you will not get access to the property in the market for MamaMboga because you must borrow either from a commercial bank. Here, we are saying that you pay the deposit as we build. By the time the project is one or two years, you have given us some money. In fact, nobody will be not be given a house because they have not paid the deposit. Once you qualify, we will see what you have paid by the time we come to completion. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the difference between our houses and those in the market is that the market will require you to go and borrow from a commercial bank. However, we are giving you a house to live in and pay Kshs3,000 to 5,000 depending on the size of the house, for the next 25 or 30 years. The vulnerable groups will be able to afford Kshs3,000. After all, if you are living in Nairobi where there are the houses you The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}