Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has sharply criticized members of the legal fraternity for their opposition to the government’s Affordable Housing Program, suggesting that some lawyers may be acting on behalf of undisclosed interests.
Speaking during the launch of a new internship program tied to the housing initiative at State House, Nairobi, CS Wahome argued that the housing program is not only constitutional but pivotal to Kenya’s economic future.
“These houses are mortgaged, and lawyers even those ones from my legal profession, stand to benefit from conveyancing and transactions. Maybe they’re opposing it on behalf of some people, but this program will open up massive employment opportunities for Kenyans,” she said.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) have been in pursuit of contempt of court charges against parties including the Commissioner-General of the Kenya Revenue Authority, over what it says is the unlawful deduction of the housing levy.
The decision follows a High Court ruling on November 28, 2023, which declared the deduction of the levy unconstitutional.
“Other countries are not talking about 100,000 housing units—we are. And by the time we’re done, we’ll see manufacturers in cement, electronics, and machinery setting up here,” Wahome added, echoing recent government claims that the program is an economic game-changer.
The internship program launched on Tuesday, July 15, will see hundreds of young Kenyans trained in construction, engineering, and property management under the housing scheme, feeding directly into both the public and private sectors.
While opposition from civil society and legal groups continues to mount, the government remains firm in pushing the narrative that the Affordable Housing Program is not just about homes but about jobs, industrialisation, and national pride.
