Housing Project a Game Changer in Gichugu

Kerugoya

Thursday, December 28, 2023

KNA by David Wandeto and Mutai Kipngetich  

The affordable housing project being spearheaded by President William Ruto has been a source of livelihood to many parts of the country since it started under the Kenya Kwanza government. 

In Kianyaga, Gichugu Constituency, Kirinyaga County, the project has been in progress since it started and is expected to be completed within 11 months from now. The same program is being implemented in Kerugoya Town in Kirinyaga Central. 

The Gichugu program that was launched by President William Ruto on August 20, 2022, in Kianyaga has 110 units and is expected to cost Sh.270 million, all funded by the national government.

Mr. Gakuru Muchiri, Director Affordable Housing and Market program, who visited the site said the program is expected to be completed in 48 weeks with 110 units comprising 3-bedrooms, 2-bedrooms, and studio apartments.

He said the housing project is a game changer in Gichugu in terms of stimulating the area's economy.

He noted apart from the employment on the site, opportunities from indirect employment such as welding and plumbing, eatery joints, and those being given jobs in places where the contractor sources the construction materials.

 “All workers here, 95% are local with the 5% being experts including those from the Ministry of Housing. As the project progresses to the upper floors more people will be given jobs.”

“We started in August and within 8 weeks we have done 15% of all the work,” Muchiri said. 

Muchiri also said they have agreed with the contractor to ensure at least a third of the workforce be given to female locals.

 He has also called residents to continue registering to get affordable houses using Boma Yangu.

Engineer Samuel Wambugu, the contractor, said the program has been going on smoothly without any challenges since it started, and the locals have been cooperative. He added that initially he had more than 150 skilled and unskilled workers, and out of all of them, only 6 did not come from the area. The six are experts in specialized areas.

“We have been working overtime to meet the set timelines and we shall complete it unless some external factors beyond our control emerge,” said Wambugu.

He added: “Our project can hold a certain number of people at a specific time, I hope the government will create another bigger project which will accommodate more people, the 145 we have hired but there are more outside willing to work to sustain their lives.”

He noted that sourcing labor from the residents has created good relationships with neighbors, apart from creating employment it is a source of indirect income to food and other service providers. A third of the laborers' workforce is female allowing them to earn a living from the program.

Jane Garoko, an unskilled laborer, has expressed her gratitude to President Ruto for initiating that project, saying since the program started she found a place to get her daily bread to fend for her family and wishes for more programs that will provide jobs to other Kenyans.

“We thank the president for this affordable housing project. In the past, we used to engage in drug abuse but nowadays we are busy with work. Also, they don’t discriminate on gender, we have female workers,'' said Garoko.

Charles Mwangi, a carpenter, has said that since he got a job from the program, he has been busy throughout and has no time to get into drug abuse. He can now support his family and pay the school fees for his young family.

Rose Wanjiku said the pay from the project will help her settle school fees arrears come next year, she expressed hope the government will extend the project in the future.

Courtesy; KNA