Kabando Wa Kabando demands county govts take over Affordable Houses
By Faith Lagat, October 2, 2025Former Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando has called for Kenya’s affordable housing units built through the contentious levy to be transferred to county governments for low-cost leasing.
In a post on X on Thursday, October 2, 2025, Kabando said the houses should be handed over to devolved administrations as part of what he described as redemptive justice for taxpayers. He also urged a public inquiry into bills of quantities (BQs) to address alleged cost abuses linked to the programme.
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“The ‘affordable’ houses already built via illegal levy should be handed over to respective county governments for low-cost leasing. This, post-Rutoism in 22 months’ time, is redemptive justice beneficial to taxpayers. Plus, enquiry on BQs to recover costs abuse,” Kabando posted.
Affordable Housing levy
The former legislator’s remarks come amid mounting criticism of the Affordable Housing Programme, anchored on the 1.5 per cent levy introduced in 2023. The levy, initially declared unconstitutional, was later upheld by the High Court in 2024, sparking widespread debate over its legality and fairness.
Critics argue that the levy disproportionately targets salaried workers while leaving out more than 20 million Kenyans in the informal sector. Billions have already been collected, fuelling public anger and sparking the #RutoMustGo campaign that has gained momentum in recent months.
Transparency International and other watchdogs have raised questions about procurement irregularities within the programme, pointing to recurring gaps in oversight and accountability.
Concerns
Kabando’s position mirrors concerns raised by other leaders positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election. Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah warned Kenyans against purchasing the houses, saying the government’s sale of units built on public land violated the Constitution. He pledged to reclaim the land if elected president, forcing buyers to return the units or surrender them to the state.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, in a September 14 church service in Nyeri, also vowed to abolish the levy and transfer completed units to counties to manage and lease, with proceeds refunded to contributors.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, during a Senate session on September 25, criticized the programme’s regulations as procedurally flawed, disclosing that he was personally paying more than Ksh30,000 in monthly deductions.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga, in a September 15 radio interview, promised to stop the programme entirely if elected, describing it as overburdensome to Kenyans.