William Ruto Insists Housing Levy Must Be Implemented Despite Court's Ruling: "No Matter What"

• President William Ruto criticised Azimio la Umoja leaders for opposing the controversial housing levy
• According to Ruto, countries like Korea and Singapore are ahead of Kenya because of ambitious plans
• The president vowed to ensure the affordable housing plan is fully implemented, despite the court terming the levy unconstitutional

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - President William Ruto has remained adamant about implementing the controversial housing levy.

During the Diaspora Investment Conference at KICC on Wednesday, December 13, Ruto said the housing project was a noble idea that must be implemented.

Why housing levy is important to Ruto

According to Ruto, the concept of the housing levy was even in the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party manifesto.

Ruto claimed the opposition leaders opposed the housing levy because they only wanted to discuss it during campaigns but were afraid to implement it.

"This beautiful project was in the manifesto for Kenya Kwanza. The same housing project, complete with the percentages of the levy, was also in the Azimio manifesto. But when it comes to implementation, that is where the devil lives. Nobody wants it implemented; people want to talk about it when hardly anyone means it," Ruto said.

The president vowed to implement the affordable housing programme, arguing that countries like Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia are ahead of Kenya because of such ambitious projects.

"I am telling you this time around, I'm implementing it. I am so determined because we must do it. Korea did it, Singapore did it, and Malaysia did it, and that is why they are ahead of us. This time, we are going to implement it. No matter what it takes, we are going to implement the housing levy,” he stated.

What the new Affordable Housing Bill 2023 says

In related news, the new Affordable Housing Bill 2023 tabled before parliament, proposed penalties for anyone found misappropriating funds from the Housing Levy.

Under this new bill, individuals guilty of misusing the proceeds face a hefty fine of KSh 10 million, a jail term not exceeding five years, or both.

This measure is a stark departure from previous regulations, signifying a firm stance against mishandling the funds allocated for housing development.

The government seeks to assure Kenyans that the funds will be used for the intended purposes.

The need for the Affordable Housing Bill 2023 arose from a recent court ruling that deemed the previous levy, established under the Finance Act 2023, unconstitutional.