Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has come out strongly in defence of using the housing levy to develop essential infrastructure around affordable housing units, blasting critics whom he accused of being “selfish and out of touch” with ordinary Kenyans.
Speaking during a church service in Makadara on Sunday, Sakaja said it was hypocritical for wealthy politicians to oppose funding for markets, schools, hospitals, and other public amenities meant to uplift low-income communities.
“We are not building houses for the rich,” said Sakaja. “Don’t stand in the way when a normal Kenyan is being helped—you have multi-million homes with ten toilets and gazebos. That’s pure hypocrisy.”
Sakaja reiterated the Council of Governors’ full backing of President William Ruto’s affordable housing programme and said the inclusion of supportive infrastructure was a “dream come true” for many.
“If you go to Mukuru, Kibra, or Lang’ata, you’ll see thousands of houses coming up. But we’re not creating vertical slums—we’re building dignified homes complete with fire stations, clinics, and schools,” he stated.
His remarks come amid rising political tensions over the controversial housing levy, with opposition leaders Rigathi Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka fiercely contesting its expanded use.
Meanwhile, a fresh standoff has emerged between the government and the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), after Housing PS Charles Hinga accused COTU of misleading the public.
COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli on Saturday denied any involvement in the formulation of the affordable housing regulations, challenging the government to produce evidence of consultations.
“At no point did the executive board of COTU (K) meet to deliberate or resolve to support those regulations,” Atwoli said.
