By Agnetta Okwemba
Taita TavetaCounty residents are set to benefit from Sh1B expected to be injected into the local economy through employment and sourcing of supplies for the Affordable Housing project.
The project which is at site mobilization stage, situated in Mwakingali area Voi is set to have 458 units put up.
About 446 units will be for housing while 8 others are set to be commercial shops.
Kenya Kwanza’s agenda on the housing project is to address various income levels while contributing to the overall goal of reducing the housing shortage in the region.
During a site visit in Taita Taveta county, the Coast and North Eastern Affordable Housing regional Director John Karanja said that the project ensures that everyone is able to benefit from it regardless of economic status.
For bodaboda operators, he said they will be able to acquire a unit for as low as 840,000 payable monthly at 2,000 for 30 years.
Karanja emphasised on the plan to bridge financial division within society through such projects.
“They will all use common facilities. You will not able to tell who is from which unit,” he said.
Voi’s project contains the social units at which is at 21% of the 92 units.
The affordable housing is at 47% with 210 units set to be put up while the Marketing housing of 144 units is at 32%.
Voi Pool house is situated in Mwakingali area having 2 schools that is Mwakingali Primary and Voi primary nearby.
Karanja added that they will add more classes to Mwakingali primary school which closely borders the housing project and also construct a wall for the school.
The contractors Vaghjiyani Limited through their official Samuel Kalume said that the project is currently having 20-30 laborers, targetting to have more than 1500 direct jobs and an estimate of 8,000 indirect jobs.
Local Jua Kali artisans will be included to facilitate skill transfer and promote the employment of local laborers.
To curb water issues, it will not only have a kindergarten, commercial shops and a sports’ court, Voi’s project will also have a underground water reservoir to harvest rain water from roofs and sewer treatment plant on site.
Water from treated sewer will be recycled to irrigate green spaces and lawns.
Voi Pool House is aimed at addressing the social, residential, commercial and educational needs of Voi people.
The project Commenced on 5th July, 2024 and set for Completion on 4th January, 2026
