State Law Office Urges Parliament to Address Gaps in Affordable Housing Bill

NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 8- The State Law Office has urged Parliament to address loopholes in the Affordable Housing Bill to safeguard Kenyans from potential exploitation.

Attorney General Justin Muturi emphasized Parliament’s responsibility to address concerns raised by citizens regarding the proposed legislation during a session with a joint committee reviewing the Affordable Housing Bill.

Muturi stressed that it is not within the Attorney General’s purview to determine whether the bill adequately serves the interests of all Kenyans, highlighting the need for parliamentary scrutiny and action.

“The buck stops with the legislative arm of government to consider the contentious issues raised by Kenyans,” Muturi asserted emphasizing Parliament’s role in addressing gaps in the Affordable Housing Bill.

Responding to queries from Members of Parliament (MPs) about the housing fund’s structure on Wednesday, Muturi acknowledged the need for careful consideration of proposals, such as adopting a refund mechanism similar to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) model.

“It’s not for the Attorney General to establish whether this bill takes the interest of every Kenyan. It is to be very difficult if that were not invested with the wherewithal to make that kind of determination.”

He underscored the importance of balancing the interests of all citizens, especially those unable to meet deposit requirements for housing units, acknowledging the committee’s discretion to propose suitable amendments.

Highlighting potential exploitation risks in housing unit ownership, Muturi urged the tightening of legal frameworks to prevent abuses, particularly regarding property ownership transfers.

 “We need to tighten all the loose ends to avoid a situation where one person using several other people could purchase 10 or 20 houses on some agreement,” Muturi noted.

The House leadership announced a two-week timeframe for the formulation of a revised legal framework following a Court of Appeal decision lifting a stay on a High Court order suspending Housing Levy deductions.

The Affordable Housing Bill, championed by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, aims to levy contributions to finance affordable housing initiatives and associated infrastructure projects.

Parliamentary committees have conducted public hearings on the Bill across nineteen counties, gathering diverse views to inform legislative decisions.