Tana River contractors put on notice as MPs tour housing projects
By Emmanuel Rono, May 5, 2026The Parliamentary Committee on Housing has issued an ultimatum to contractors handling government housing projects, demanding they complete their work within set timelines or face the revocation of their contracts.
During an inspection tour in Tana River on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Committee Chairman Mugambi Rindikiri expressed frustration, noting that while the government has been diligent in providing funds on time, many contractors are dragging their feet and failing to meet construction deadlines.
“I want to ask all the contractors ambao wamepatiwa kazi sana sana haya manyumba na masoko waharakishe tafadhali. Nyinyi ndio mnaangusha serikali. Serikali inafanya kazi, lakini wewe, contractor, lazima ufanye kazi yako; lazima utimishe lile ulifanya uliambiwa ufanye,” Rindikiri said.
The committee’s oversight visit also extended to the Garsen constituency to evaluate the progress of ongoing works in the area.
Importance of housing projects
According to Said Hiribae, MP Galole, the government has committed a massive investment of over 5 billion shillings toward these housing projects, which span the Galole, Garsen, and Bura constituencies.
He emphasised that contractors have a responsibility to fulfill their agreements, warning that those who do not finish their work are undermining the government’s agenda.
“Katika hii miradi ya housing, serikali wameinvest over 5 billion shillings kutoka ile sehemu ya Galole constituency constituency hii ya Garsen na kule Bura na hii ni miradi ambayo ikifika tamati inaweza kubadilisha maisha katika sehemu hii ya Tana River, ” Hiribae said.
President Ruto on affordable houses
President William Ruto has announced a reduction in the deposit required for allocation of affordable housing units from 10 per cent to 5 per cent, in a move aimed at expanding access to home ownership for salaried Kenyans.
The announcement was made during Labour Day celebrations held on May 1, 2026, where the Head of State said the decision had already been incorporated into the housing allocation framework and regulations governing the programme.
“It is confirmed that the commitment I made to COTU last year has been delivered. The deposit required for the application of allocation for an affordable housing unit has now come down from 10 per cent to 5 per cent,” President Ruto stated.
“This applies to every salaried Kenyan, and the reduction has been codified in our allocation framework and in the affordable housing regulation passed in 2025.”