The Parliamentary Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works through its Chairperson Johana Ng’eno, has expressed dismay over the absence of good school facilities in Kiambu County where the National Government is putting up more than 2,000 affordable housing units.
On a fact-finding mission at a site for the new homes in Kiambu, the Committee was satisfied with the progress of the project and felt that it was a clear way in which the government is implementing its big agenda of giving more access to decent homes that are affordable to the public.
On the other hand, Ng’eno warned that a rapid increase in the number of houses might lead to a shortage of social amenities especially schools in the residential areas that will be created out of the units.
“We have uncovered a problem in education that will probably come up after the completion of this project,” he said. “Schools around the area will seriously suffer from overcrowding if this matter is left unchecked.”
Kiambaa MP John Njuguna Kawanjiku, who was also present, emphasized the importance of well-thought-out urban-planning. He pointed out that, in addition to homes, schools and shops should be constructed.
“Because land is becoming scarce, we have also advocated for the provision of modern market facilities that will cater for the new community,” Njuguna pointed out. “This is to make sure that the money allocated for the project is fully utilized without having to return the unspent money to the Treasury.”
The Kiambu project is one of many such projects being implemented through the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP), a major policy initiative under the government’s Affordable Housing Agenda, which is designed to not only address the country’s housing deficit but also promote local employment and economic growth.
It is expected that the committee will bring their report to Parliament, accompanied by proposals, addressing the matter to the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, and Housing Departments on how to include the social amenities sector in housing projects, whether still in the pipeline or already in progress.
