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Two mini-cities to be built in Kilifi as part of State's affordable housing project

Kilifi County Commissioner Josphat Biwott (centre). He said the government is finalising arrangements of the project. (Photo: Kilifi County Commissioner's Office)

By Farhiya Hussein | Monday, January 22, 2024

The project will see over 10,000 affordable units built in the county.

Two mini-cities are to be built as part of the Kilifi County Affordable Housing Project proposed by the National Government.

One will be in Mariakani and the other in Mtwapa, where 50 acres of land have already been set aside for the project.

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According to the Kilifi county government, the initiative has chosen these two places since there is already readily available land in both.

This is part of the Affordable Housing Project proposed by President William Ruto to give Kenyans access to safe and affordable housing.

The project will see over 10,000 affordable units built in the county.

Kilifi County Commissioner Josphat Biwott said during the Affordable Housing Program and Market Implementation Committee meeting on Saturday, that they have already determined four construction sites for the project's initial phase.

Kilifi North will see more developments because of the significant need for homes in the area.

Shortlisted sites

The four sites that were shortlisted were Tezo, Kibarani, and Bofa in the Kilifi North constituency and the Sir Ali site in the Malindi constituency.

The commissioner stated that the government is finalising arrangements to begin construction of the housing units while accompanied by Kilifi County Government Secretary Martin Mwaro.

"Kilifi County has proposed 11 sites for the project, and from these 11, we as a committee have sat down and identified four sites which we will start advertising by next Tuesday," he stated.

It is expected that each Kilifi constituency will have at least one affordable housing project at the project's conclusion.

To ensure the project's success, Biwott promised that the government would collaborate closely with the Jua Kali sector and that more than 20,000 trained and unskilled workers would be needed as part of the exercise.

“We intend to construct 10,000 apartments in Kilifi County. We will need a labour force of at least 20,000 skilled and unskilled workers to complete these 10,000 units. We'll also require about 20,000 Jua Kali labourers," he added.

The Chairman of the Jua Kali Association in Kilifi, Kombo Charo, voiced his optimism for the project's start, claiming it will improve the financial situation of thousands of the county's youth.

“We have been waiting a long time for this project because our Juakali workforce will gain much from it. All we ask is that, when the project gets underway, the Kilifi Jua Kali labourers be given preference when it comes to job assignments and bids,” Mr Charo stated.