President William Ruto declaration that all civil servants will have a 3 per cent deduction from their salaries, which will be contributed to the Housing Fund has elicited mixed reactions among Kenyans.
The president made this announcement on Sunday during a Church service at Friends Church (Quakers) in Donholm, Nairobi.
According to Ruto, the deductions are aimed at helping Kenyans access affordable housing, and it was emphasized that the date for the deductions to take effect was not yet disclosed.
Ruto stated every Kenyan would be able to contribute 3 per cent of their salary towards affordable housing, and for every 3 per cent someone saves, the employer will be required by law to save an extra 3 per cent.
The government will be at the forefront of implementing this, and for all government employees - approximately 700,000 - the government will save 3 per cent for them after they have made their own 3 per cent contribution.
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"Every Kenyan will be able to contribute 3 per cent of their salary towards affordable housing. For every 3 per cent someone saves, the employer will be required by law to save an extra 3 per cent," Ruto said.
"As a government, we will be at the forefront in implementing this. For all employees of the government - approximately 700,000 - we will be saving 3 per cent for them after they have made their own 3 per cent contribution."
The President explained civil servants had to make the contributions to create a fund that would assist people in Kenya to acquire homes.
The President added that Kenya currently had only 40,000 mortgages, and his administration would raise that amount to 2 million in line with the country's economy.
Furthermore, the government aims to construct over 200,000 affordable housing units by 2027 to benefit 2-3 million households.
Ruto announced that the government had already constructed 30,000 affordable housing units in Nairobi and that he would begin the construction of an extra 30,000 units in Makongeni within the next two weeks.
"In the next two weeks, I will be in Makongeni to start construction of an extra 30,000 units. We have a plan to be constructing 100,000 affordable houses every year in Nairobi," he promised.
Here are a few sentiments as expressed on social media:
Pure líes! I makes 500k a month but affording an affordable 3 bedroom with Kings is a pipe dream! The only hse that I can afford under those programs could be abedsitter at ruiru!
— Osano Omaanya (@onna_ohsa) April 23, 2023
From there compare with someone earning 60k which I guess could be a median salary in k3nya!
So…
To he much is given, much is expected. First show Kenyans what you have done with the little you have. #inatuhusu
— JUSTINA WAMAE (@justinawamae) April 23, 2023
Sometimes you don’t know how to react to this government’s policy ideas, and I use ‘ideas’ loosely. Every one of these ‘ideas’ sounds like a scam being peddled by a snake oils salesman. Don’t even get me started with the ‘Hustlers Fund’. Biggest scam ever sold!
— Bonnie Mwangi (@MwangiBonnie) April 23, 2023
Kenyans will soon beg @RailaOdinga for maandamano,
— Ely Mosioma (@ElyMosioma) April 23, 2023
Ruto is looking at a monumental long term legacy. Good job @DavidNdii
— David🦅Mutai📡 (@David1Mutai) April 23, 2023
@WilliamsRuto significant Cost reduction can b achieved thru a review of GoK Operations & Maintenance Budget. Some Public Officials have Cars 4 their Wives, Girlfriends, & Children which are fueled & maintained by Taxpayers. @KeTreasury @StateHouseKenya @NAssemblyKE @rigathi
— Maurice Abondo 🇰🇪🇿🇦🇦🇪 (@maurice_abondo) April 23, 2023
Good IDEA I Support it because to OWN Land, Home and HOUSE is the HARDEST thing in KENYA and Afrika.
— Dennigen Obisa_MOSRAEL🇰🇪 (@dennigenobisa) April 23, 2023