Pangani Affordable Housing Update
From nairobi.go.ke
This afternoon Nairobi City County Deputy Governor and Acting Governor H. E Ann Kananu Mwenda together with County Executive Urban Planning, Charles Kerich attended the Affordable housing project update press briefing in Pangani.
H.E Ann Kananu said that Nairobi City County Government has been at the centre of the progress made in the renewal of old estates while recognizing the fact that the City has the potential to contribute the largest number of affordable housing units in Kenya and has progressively guided its partners in construction of new homes.
Said H.E “Under our phase one, we offered eight of our residential estates for redevelopment. So far, two of them are actively under construction. They are Pangani, where we are currently, and Jevanjee Barchelors Quarters in Ngara. We are satisfied with the progress so far in the two estates. Some of the other estates are in various stages of preparation. They include New Ngara, Old Ngara, Suna Road and one of the phases of Ngong Road.
H.E Ann Kananu said that together with the Nairobi Metropolitan Services, they have invited developers to express interest in redevelopment of another lot of estates, under phase two ; Bahati, Maringo, Jericho, Lumumba, Bondeni, Ziwani, Embakasi, California, Kariobangi North and Woodley. She further stated that the Expressions of Interest had been evaluated and requests for Proposal from the developers whose bids were satisfactory will soon be issued.
Said H.E “Nairobi City County Government is happy with the partnership we have with the National Government to support one another in the affordable housing programme. The County Government would waive all planning approval fees for affordable housing projects. In return, the National Government would assist Nairobi County to secure waivers of stamp duty when transferring land to the Special Purpose Vehicles that we form with the developers to execute the projects. I wish to urge all parties involved in the affordable housing programme to eliminate unnecessary hurdles that delay the projects. Everyone should recognize that the projects are in support of the Government’s Agenda 4 Pillar of affordable housing, and the processes should be made smooth to ensure success”.
Ms Kananu assured tenants of Nairobi City County estates, that they would be given first priority to acquire the new houses that are built where the old homes stood. Said Ms. Kananu “The Pangani project should serve as confirmation that the 48 original tenants will not be displaced and that they have been allocated homes and are only waiting to move in as soon as construction is complete.”
H.E Ann Kananu called on the public to support the efforts put in place to redevelop old estates and build more new homes to meet the demand for affordable housing.
Permanent Secretary for Housing and Urban Development, Charles Hinga said that the current project on affordable housing is a perfect example of Public Private Partnership because the Nairobi City County Government is the owner of the land and it made the land available to the developer at no cost but with a condition they will not charge the value of the land to the new home owners. He commended the developer, Technofin under Executive Director, Robert Muchoki for using the latest technology and delivering on his promise of constructing a floor per week to ensure that the project timeline is adhered to.
Deputy Director for NMS, Thuku Kang’ethe lauded the project as a demonstration of the Government’s commitment and successfully collaboration with Public Sector to deliver affordable housing. He said, on completion of affordable houses, the project is expected to generate 14,000 housing units and 3,000 market stalls.
He further said that the affordable housing project, will create employment for both skilled and unskilled labour and promote the use of locally produced materials and technology.
In attendance was Government Spokesperson, Cyrus Oguna, Nairobi City County Executive for Urban Renewal and Housing, Charles Kerich.
