The National Assembly has announced the commencement of public hearings on the Affordable Housing Bill, 2023, across nineteen counties, starting on Wednesday, January 17th for a duration of two weeks. Lawmakers will be visiting various counties including Narok, Embu, Kisii, and others to gather public input on the Bill.

“The public hearings are a crucial step in ensuring that the voices of the people are heard in shaping the Affordable Housing Bill,” stated a representative from the Departmental Committees on Finance and National Planning.

The Affordable Housing Bill 2023 was introduced in response to a High Court order that declared the housing levy unconstitutional. “This Bill is essential in establishing the Affordable Housing Fund and providing access to affordable housing, aligning with the constitutional right to accessible and adequate housing,” remarked the Leader of the Majority Party, Kimani Ichung’wah.

The proposed Affordable Housing Levy to finance the provision of affordable housing and associated infrastructure is a key component of the Bill.

In light of recent court orders, Ichung’wah emphasized, “The public participation process remains open, and we encourage written submissions as well as active participation in the scheduled hearings.”

The High Court order had initially raised concerns about the public participation process, but Ichung’wah clarified, “The orders did not prohibit Parliament from conducting any other form of public participation, including undertaking public hearings across the country on the Bill.”