The Council of Governors (CoG) has thrown its weight behind President William Ruto’s directive to expand the use of the affordable housing levy beyond just building homes, to also include critical public infrastructure such as markets.
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, who chairs the Council, said the governors support a more comprehensive approach to the housing programme one that prioritizes the creation of complete, inclusive communities.
“The long-term success of the affordable housing initiative requires more than just constructing residential units,” said Abdullahi. “We must also invest in the essential physical and social infrastructure that enables people to live and thrive in these areas. Markets, for instance, play a key role in supporting local economies.”
He further stressed the importance of complementary infrastructure such as roads, drainage, electricity, water systems, schools, hospitals, and even recreational and security facilities all of which contribute to building liveable and sustainable communities.
Abdullahi revealed that this position was reached following in-depth consultations with President Ruto last week, where the parties agreed on the need to integrate social amenities within the broader housing plan.
This endorsement from the CoG comes amid rising concerns from the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), which has questioned the legality of diverting the levy toward projects not directly tied to housing. COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli warned that straying from the original mandate could create room for misappropriation.
Atwoli argued that while the intentions may be well-meaning, the Affordable Housing Regulations contain ambiguities that could be exploited, allowing Parliament to divert funds to unrelated ventures potentially compromising the credibility of the programme.
Despite the pushback, the government remains firm that housing is just one part of a larger goal: to build integrated settlements where citizens not only find shelter but also access key services and opportunities for economic empowerment.
