Hustlers Set To Reap Big In Ruto's Housing Plan

Joseph Mutua Ndonga

By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga

Worth Noting:

The outgoing President had no doubt that Dr Ruto had won the elections after the Supreme Court of Kenya upheld his victory.
As required by the constitution, he immediately started the process of handing over. This culminated to the big event at Kasarani Sports Center during which he peacefully handed the instruments of power to Dr William Ruto, who became the fifth President of the Republic of Kenya.
In the housing plan, a huge of chunk of the funds earmarked for the construction of these houses will be raised through deductions of 3 per cent from the salaries of employees and employers in the civil service and private sector. The employers will also contribute 3 percent.
It is worth note some of those contributing are well endowed Kenyans who are already homeowners.

In the run up to 2022 polls, Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate William Ruto’s campaign strategy was anchored on a key fulcrum of ‘Bottom Up Economic Model’.

The model was designed to narrow the widening gap between the haves and haves-nots.

The message resonated very well with millions of Kenyan voters and this explains why he wrestled down his competitors at the ballot with ease.

Up to date, his main competitor Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition, is yet to come to terms.

The outgoing President, the Deep State and the system was on my side. So, do really lose these polls? Seemingly, this is the question that keeps disturbing his mind.

I remember his elder brother Oburu Odinga repeatedly expressing his confidence during the campaigns that Raila was poised to win the elections.

This is because he was enjoying the full backing of the outgoing government.

In the previous elections, this was not the case. He was a thorn in the fresh of the establishment.

Here, he forgot two things. Kenya is a democratic country and it is governed by the rule of law. As such, the final decision on who becomes the President of Kenya rested with the people of Kenya.

One did not need to be a rocket scientist to note that Dr Ruto was enjoying the support of majority of Kenyan voters.

Besides, Ruto, who had managed to rally the church to his side, reiterated: God is on my side.

With this, how did Oburu expect his brother to win? This could have only happened if the ‘Deep State’ resorted to rigging the election in favor of Raila.

If they dared to do this, they could have plunged Kenya into political anarchy and bloodshed.

The outgoing President did not want his legacy to be marked by blood in his own hands.

This would have contradicted his earlier repeated vows that never again will the blood of innocent Kenyans be shed due to unhealthy political competitions.

He, therefore, resisted all pressure piled on him by Raila brigade to sneak Baba into power.

The outgoing President had no doubt that Dr Ruto had won the elections after the Supreme Court of Kenya upheld his victory.

As required by the constitution, he immediately started the process of handing over. This culminated to the big event at Kasarani Sports Center during which he peacefully handed the instruments of power to Dr William Ruto, who became the fifth President of the Republic of Kenya.

Dozens of the world leaders graced this auspicious ceremony.

When he convened the special National Delegates Conference of Jubilee Party a few days ago, the former President remarked: I handed power to the current President peacefully and in broad day light.

This demonstrated my commitment to tenets and ideals of democracy, constitution and the rule of law.

As a former President, I will continue to champion these ideals.

Back to Dr Ruto’s election pledge, the question we should ask ourselves is.

Has kept his word? This in terms of kick-starting the process of narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor.

To me, he has so far made great strides.

The rolling out of the Hustler Fund and Affordable Housing Programme stood out as the key milestones.

In the housing plan, a huge of chunk of the funds earmarked for the construction of these houses will be raised through deductions of 3 per cent from the salaries of employees and employers in the civil service and private sector. The employers will also contribute 3 percent.

It is worth note some of those contributing are well endowed Kenyans who are already homeowners.

This explains why Hustler will reap big. The government will give them priority to buy these houses.

I heard Nyandarua woman representative Faith Gitau saying the cost of some units (each) will be less than 1 million.

For starters, I want to give them a picture of how the plan is being rolled out.

The government had been contracting the real estate developers to construct these houses.

The State provides them with incentives such as free land; waiving taxes on the construction materials and becomes the guarantor of money borrowed from the banks by developers.

Once constructed, the State assures the developers it will buy in bulk all houses.

This will be done at prevailing market rates and so they will rake in good profits.

Yes, the deductions are compulsory and this does not mean as a contributor you will lose your money. You are free to withdraw your money after seven years.

This is your money. The only difference is that it is being held by the government in trust.

Why Housing plan is a good idea? In Kenya, 65 percent of Kenyan population, who had migrated to Urban areas, live in slums.

Here the living conditions are deplorable: No water, no toilets, no electricity. The area is also filthy, with poor drainage and hence prone to communicable diseases. The crime rate is also very higher.

As I conclude, allow me to say this. Many countries across the world which had adopted similar plan of Affordable Housing Programme have had success stories.

One of them Singapore, a middle income economy.

Today, 90 percent of the population in this country live in decent houses constructed by the government in partnership with private developers.

I’m sure those who have read our constitution would agree with me. Shelter is one of the basic human rights. When people live in deplorable conditions, this hinders thier contribution to economic growth.

So, Ruto’s Housing Plan is a move in right direction. It is a show of his commitment to rebuilding our economy. Let us support him.

Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi