Written by Lisa Murimi
A storm is brewing between the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) and the government over the controversial use of funds from the Affordable Housing Levy.
In a war of words, Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga on Friday accused COTU of misleading the public, asserting that the union was fully involved in the drafting of the housing law and its accompanying regulations.
But in a sharp and emotional rebuttal, COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli hit back on Saturday, calling the claims “dishonest” and demanding evidence of the alleged consultations.
“As COTU (K), we have never been consulted, either formally or informally, in the development, review, or approval of the current affordable housing regulations. In fact, at no point did the executive board of COTU (K), which is the legally mandated organ responsible for such organisational decisions, sit to deliberate or resolve to support the said regulations,” Atwoli said.
“If indeed PS Hinga claims that COTU (K) was involved, we challenge him to produce any written resolutions, minutes, or official correspondence from COTU (K)’s executive board endorsing the drafting or content of the current regulations. If anything, we have never received any communication from the Affordable Housing Board or from PS Hinga inviting COTU (K) to give their views on the regulations.”
At the heart of the dispute is the government’s plan to divert part of the housing levy to build markets, police posts, health centres, and other amenities—projects that COTU insists lie far outside the scope of housing.
“As COTU (K), we are clear and unequivocal that there was no consultation because if there was any, we would never have agreed to the Affordable Housing Levy being used to build amenities and infrastructure that are already budgeted for within the National Budget. If this trend persists, the Affordable Housing Levy would soon be redirected to do other development projects like building roads, dams, and other heavy expense projects while leaving workers exposed without decent housing,” he said.
The union also distanced itself from its representative on the Affordable Housing Fund Board, Ernest Nadome, stating he had no mandate to make policy decisions on behalf of COTU.
“Further, the claim by PS Hinga that Bro. Ernest Nadome, our representative on the Affordable Housing Fund Board, was involved in the drafting of the regulations is entirely misplaced considering the fact that Nadome’s role is clearly defined within the governance structure of the Fund and does not extend to making independent policy decisions on behalf of COTU (K),” he said.
“It is dangerous, and frankly dishonest, to equate the presence of one individual on a board to the institutional position of COTU (K). Furthermore, and for the record, Bro. Nadome has already informed the leadership of COTU (K) that, indeed and in fact, we, as COTU (K), were not consulted in the approval of the said regulations. The PS should, therefore, stop misleading the Kenyan workers.”
The plea from COTU is clear: stop the misuse of workers’ money and return to the core mission—delivering dignified, affordable homes.
As the government doubles down, with President Ruto defending the expansion of the fund’s use, workers are left wondering: will their sacrifices ever lead to the promise of a place to call home?
