The housing levy and the controversial Land Laws (Amendment) (Number 2) Bill, 2023 that has since been withdrawn from the National Assembly dominated the grilling session of Alice Wahome (pictured) who President William Ruto nominated to take over the Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development docket.
Lawmakers sitting in the Committee on Appointments that was vetting the nominee took her to task to explain how the bill that sought to take over the powers of the National Land Commission (NLC) found itself on the floor of the house yet Kenyans had rejected it.
MPs also sought to know why the housing levy being deducted on Kenyans had been invested in bonds instead of assisting in the construction of housing units.
Questions came after top ministry officials told Kenyans, that Sh20 billion from the Housing Levy had been invested in Treasury bond while on the bill, the MPs were informed that the Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wah had withdrawn it following concerns that it sought to impose land rent on freehold land owners and property owners who enjoy free ownership.
Led by speaker Moses Wetangula, the MPs sought to know why the ministry never takes into consideration public participation before formulating policies.
Rental arrears
Wetangula, who said that the committee had received nine memoranda against her, asked her to explain why she failed to admit that the bill was from her ministry after Kenyans rejected it.
He said: “A bill came to the house that was contentious, when the issue became contentious, the ministry kept quiet instead of owning it, this is what the MPs are asking.”
Responding to the lawmakers queries, Wahome whose net worth has increased from Sh218 million two years ago to Sh327.6 million due to appreciation of land and payment of rental arrears amounting to Sh14 million clarified that her relationship with the NLC led by the chairperson Gershom Ottachi was cordial and thus has no reason to encroach on their mandate.
On the controversial bill, she explained that the proposal had only indicated that the minister would designate where the levy would appear and had not given a blanket imposition of the levies to be paid.
She said: “It would not be possible to levy all areas. The Provision said the minister will be able to designate the areas that would be levied.”
On housing levy, she explained that the program will roll out in the rural areas.
She said: “This is a new programme, it’s just starting and it has been met with various challenges including litigations, I see the programme moving to the rural folks.”
Ichung’wa asked: “Kenyans are asking is he the right person for the job or will he be an appendage of the CS who he ran together with as his deputy governor.”
Qualified doctor
On her failure to renew her membership with the Kenya Medical Association, she explained that she was then an international civil servant and thus did not require it. She said: “I am a qualified doctor. In 2020 I joined a UN organisation, I was an international civil servant offering services to 22 countries. I renewed my practicing licence, once the president appointed me.”
