President William Ruto is expected to launch 220 units under the Affordable Housing Programme today at Milimani area, Lurambi Constituency in Kakamega County.

Ruto who is currently in Busia County launching various development projects will commission the project during his five-day working tour in the Western region.

The State is planning to engage 3,500 youths in the programme who will benefit directly or indirectly. 

Already, the developer, Top Choice Surveillance Limited has engaged Kakamega Engineering and Fabricators Association and KEFINCO Carpenters Association with over 100 skilled artisans for a partnership in the project.

The developer is expected to ring-fence an estimated Sh26m for the over 1,200 doors and 1,200 windows required for the project. 

The government is already mobilizing and recruiting residents of Lurambi constituency to join registered Jua Kali Associations to supply other ring-fenced items. 

The State Department for Housing has also engaged TVETs among them Shamberere Technical Training Institute and Sigalagala National Polytechnic to provide technical support once the project commences. 

The project that sits on the four acres parcel of land is owned by the National Government, and currently hosting government housing and is expected to be completed by April 2025.  

The developer is expected to put up nine blocks of apartments comprising 60 studio units, 20-bedroom units, 100 two-bedroom units, and 40 three-bedroom units at an estimated cost of Sh473 million. 

The existing road and water infrastructure will be expanded as will the sewer line. Lurambi residents have hailed the project as a major milestone and lauded the Government for spreading the affordable housing program to the constituency level. 

This will be the third Affordable Housing Program at the constituency level launched by the Government after Gichugu Constituency and Bahati constituency.

So far, the Government has awarded 17 contracts in lot 1 for development and advertised a further thirty-five in lot 2 for the constituency affordable housing program. By Benard Lusigi, The Standard