•President William Ruto said that creation of employment is what's driving him to introduce the plans to Kenyans.
•The government, however, has faced criticism from the opposition as well as the public over the high cost of living.
Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan has said that the Housing fun debate has been politicised.
Speaking on Monday morning during an interview he said, that leaders have become political on the issue, not looking at the benefits of the plan.
"Much of the argument about the housing levy is political. It is not looking at the benefits and the impact that this is to going have," Hassan said.
The Jubilee MP noted that the plan will not only create employment but also stimulate Kenya's economy.
Hassan also noted that the housing plan will elevate millions of Kenyans living in deplorable conditions due to poverty and underdevelopment.
President William Ruto said that the creation of employment is what's driving him to introduce the plans to Kenyans.
"The real motivation behind it (housing project) is the jobs we are going to create for the young people of Kenya. Ni kuhakikisha kwamba vijana wanapata ajira (It's to ensure the youth are employed)," he said last Friday.
Ruto said the government will need five youths for every house to be constructed.
He criticised those opposing the plan and the proposed levy.
"I hear there are some people inciting you. First, you don’t have a salary. That person with a salary is telling you to oppose (the levy). Hii dunia iko na utapeli mingi sana (This world is full of fraudsters),” he said.
The government intends to curb mushrooming of informal settlements through the housing programme. There are 1,411 informal settlements across the country.
"Kenya is one of the fastest urbanising countries in the world; whereas in some places it's at 3.7 per cent, Kenya's rate is 4.4 per cent. By 2050, 68 per cent of Kenyans will be urban dwellers. If our strategy works, people said.
He explained that the government will ensure that the construction materials used in the project are sourced locally to boost the local manufacturing industry.
The government, however, has faced criticism from the opposition as well as the public over the high cost of living.
Opposition chief Raila Odinga has on various occasions told President Ruto that the cost of living needed to be relooked at because, at the moment, people are suffering.
He said Kenyans cannot be taxed to the bone just because of Kenya Kwanza’s internal weaknesses.
In addition, Raila has asked President Ruto to institute far-reaching reforms in his administration to tackle the high cost of living. By Maureen Kinyanjui, The Star
