The state has raised the rent on all government-owned properties by 10%, effective November 1, 2023.
Principal Secretary for Housing Charles Hinga stated in a letter dated September 28, 2023 to Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo that civil servants occupying state properties will have to pay 10% more than the current rates.
According to the PS, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development informed the National Treasury and the relevant ministries, departments, and agencies on January 18, 2021, that the provisions of Government Housing will be raised by 10%.
Mr Hinga stated that, while the housing allowances provided to government employees have been reviewed on a monthly basis since 2001, the rent charged for the houses they live in has remained consistent.
“It was then noted that the rentals for most government houses have remained stagnant since 2001, therefore it remains a possibility to increase the AIA for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in line with the observation made at the meeting of September 22, 2023, with you increasing the AIA for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” PS Hinga said.
“This is, therefore, to seek your concurrence to adjust the rentals for government residential accommodation by 10 per cent with effect from 1 November 2023.”
In June 2021, the Auditor General presented a report to Parliament revealing that over half of civil servants occupying government housing were not paying due rent.
According to the report, Sh724.3 million in rent was received for government houses in the fiscal year ending June 2020, out of a possible yearly revenue of Sh1.5 billion when completely occupied.
The total number of government houses in the 47 counties is 56,892, with a monthly rental income of Sh127,048,750 and an annual rental potential of Sh1,524,585,000 if fully filled.
