Ruto’s affordable housing programme faces opposition from diaspora

Canadian-based Kenyan journalist and aspiring Westlands MP Lucy Jeffrey has joined the growing list of voices expressing concern over the implementation of President William Ruto’s affordable housing programme.

In a public statement, Jeffrey, a former high school teacher in Kenya, said while the vision of affordable housing is commendable, the execution has been unfair—especially to low-income earners who are being subjected to mandatory salary deductions without consent.

“I love affordable housing and how beautiful they look. But I have expressed my concern before about two things: one, Kenyans are getting deducted from salaries without their consent—even those with low incomes; and two, there is no guarantee that those being deducted will be assigned an apartment,” she said.

Jeffrey shared a personal message she received from a Kenyan teacher, who narrated her frustrations about being taxed for a house she doesn’t need, despite already financing her own home through a mortgage.

The teacher's message reads in part:

“On affordable housing, it's a great idea that will make many low-income people own a place they call theirs. Nevertheless, it's very unfair to tax an already over engaged person. To cite my case, I am a teacher with TSC (Teachers’ Service Commission). I got a loan to build my house in 2022. Accumulative it was Ksh.4 million. So, my net salary is below Ksh.38,000. And then, the government decides to tax me. For what? Do I really need the government house when I already have mine? Then why not give relief to those already having mortgage? Or better, those over 50 years. Surely this was very unfair.”

Jeffrey called on President Ruto to listen to Kenyans and rethink the policy’s current structure.

She also proposed specific reforms to make the housing initiative more inclusive and fair, including: deducting from wealthy Kenyans instead of those earning at lower levels; and taking cue from Singapore, where the wealthy help support the poor.

Jeffrey also suggested that the President Ruto government could research Canada’s model, where people earning under Ksh.1 million a year are exempt from taxes; hold virtual diaspora consultative forums to engage with Kenyans abroad who can offer insights from developed nations; and broaden the advisory process beyond short foreign visits by government officials and instead tap into the expertise of experienced Kenyans in the diaspora.

“We love the project, but the way it is currently managed leaves many losing faith in it,” she urged the Head of State.

Her intervention adds a diaspora perspective to the ongoing national debate, reflecting concerns not just within Kenya’s borders, but among Kenyans abroad who continue to monitor and contribute to their country’s development.