By ALLOYS MUSYOKA
The president William Ruto affordable house project in collaboration with county governments has kicked off in Kwale with locals being urged to take lead in provision of construction materials and building the units to uplift their living standards.
Kwale county affordable housing committee and market implementation committee said that in two weeks’ time the initial construction in two sites will be launched after site identification for the 10,000 units.
The committee that includes county government, Jua Kali operators, business community, and security and national government officials met in Kwale to chart a way forward in ensuring the project is successfully implemented in Kwale.
Kwale county government has already provided land for the proposed housing projects at Kwale survey camp where 400 units will be built, White house for 1200 units and a market, Kwale housing scheme 1600 units ,Mabokoni smart city 3000 units.
Also set to be constructed is Diani modern market that will be equipped with ICT rooms among other facilities to serve the population as well as construction of LungaLunga and Kinango economic stimulus market.
The housing project according to the implementation committee is meant to ensure locals in the area benefit by participating as constructors or material providers in jobs creation as well as owning affordable houses.
Led by Kwale county commissioner Michael Mwangi Meru, Administrative secretary Mwangi Kahiro they said that Kwale survey camp and white house sites are ready for the project as launching is set in the next two weeks.
Development of Mabokoni smart city in Msambweni will see the area that host Technical University of Mombasa develop more as locals around are set to benefit directly and indirectly through jobs and business.
Through the project’s implementation model, Mwangi said that every citizen will feel as part and parcel of this country since everyone is set to benefit either directly by owning the house units or participating in constructions of the same.
Kwale county executive member for Environment and Natural resources Saumu Beja said that the project’s implementation will involve local business people, youths, contractors and carpenters as well as services and products providers to benefit directly.
“President William Ruto and governor Fatuma Achani plan is to have people around Kwale benefit directly economically from the project by either selling cement, providing sand ,doors and windows or even being the contractors of the projects,” said Saumu.
She said that they have started meeting White House locals, one of the areas where affordable houses are set to be constructed to ensure they pave the way for the project.
Kwale Jua Kali Association chair Sammy Karuga said that it was the first time the association has been involved in government projects of such magnitude saying that it will benefit locals a lot.
“We are being involved directly to supply equipment needed for the projects and also possibly own the houses and as association of Jua kali in Kwale we really appreciate the county government and national government, “added Karuga.
