Ichung’wah clarifies President Ruto’s affordable housing pledge to Harambee Stars

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah has dismissed concerns that President William Ruto exceeded his authority by promising Affordable Housing units to Harambee Stars players without following the criteria outlined in law.

During the ongoing 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), President Ruto promised Ksh.1 million to each Harambee Stars team member for every match won, Ksh.500,000 for every draw, and Ksh.60 million if they reached the quarterfinals.

He further pledged Ksh.70 million for a semifinal berth and Ksh.600 million should the team win the tournament.

Following Harambee Stars’ victory over Morocco, the President upped the ante, promising each player a two-bedroom house under the Affordable Housing Programme, with an additional Ksh.1 million if they won the quarterfinals.

He added that the houses would be upgraded to three-bedroom units if the team triumphed in the semifinals.

During a Parliamentary session on Thursday, Kathiani MP Robert Mbui questioned the legality of the President’s offer, citing the need for transparency in the allocation process.

“The only concern I had, which is not addressed in the regulations because I support the regulations…is how can we make the process more transparent? How do we ensure no one can favour certain individuals or give houses to their friends and relatives?” Mbui posed.

“Recently, the President offered Affordable Housing units to Harambee Stars and said he’d pay for them. Did we intend to have a law where the President can decide who gets a house? That is one of the issues we need to address for transparency.”

In response, Ichung'wah clarified that the President does not have the power to allocate housing units, but instead offered to assist the players by paying the required deposit, allowing them to qualify through the laid-out process.

“When it comes to political issues, he (Mbui) has selective hearing on what the President said. The President offered to help the Harambee Stars players by paying their deposit. He also told them to first register for the programme,” the Kikuyu MP explained.

“There is nothing in the regulations allowing the President to allocate Affordable Housing units. That is why he asked them to register, after which he would help pay the deposit so they can be allocated a unit.”

The discussion came as MPs debated a motion by Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga on the consideration of the Affordable Housing Regulations, 2025, which both Mbui and Ichung'wah supported.

For one to acquire an Affordable Housing unit, they are required to access the Boma Yangu portal through registration on the portal itself or through the *832# USSD. Registration is free, but one must have an eCitizen account.

The applicant is then required to deposit a minimum of Ksh.200 to have their account activated and can afterward save any amount at their convenience through different payment options. 

The platform will show details on how much deposit one would be required to save to be eligible for allocation (10 per cent of the unit value) of a preferred unit. 

After paying the deposit, the applicant will be put on a waiting list and be notified when the allocation process commences.

Those who fail to secure a unit in the first selection will be prioritized in the second selection.