The Right To Accessible And Adequate Housing, And To Reasonable Standards Of Sanitation

By Soko Directory Team / Published March 22, 2024 | 7:11 am

KEY POINTS

About 6.4 million people from Kenya’s urban population live in informal settlements, while an estimated 60 percent of the capital city Nairobi’s residents live in slums such as Mathare, Kibera, Mukuru kwa Njenga, Mukuru kwa Reuben, Kawangware, among others.

Housing is a human right. Article 43(1)(b) of the Kenyan Constitution provides that, ‘every person has the right to accessible and adequate housing, and to reasonable standards of sanitation’. Many people have no idea this is contained in our Constitution.

As per this Article, Kenya is not supposed to have slums or stinking garbage all over the place like what we are currently witnessing. With this Article, we are supposed to be ashamed when the rest of the world says we have the second-largest slum in Africa.

With this Article of the Constitution, we are supposed to sue the Government of Kenya for somehow failing to address the issue of the housing deficit that has led to the mushrooming of informal settlements in all the major towns in Kenya.

The growth of Kenya’s population, currently at about 58 million, has contributed to the country’s inadequate supply of new housing units, leaving millions with no decent roofs above their heads.

The annual housing demand is 250,000 units, but only an estimated 50,000 units are supplied. The proportion of the total population living below the international poverty line is 29.4 percent, with an unemployment rate of 5.5 percent, according to the World Bank.

Housing affordability is a major challenge in Kenya, and many people cannot afford to buy or build their own homes. Private developers have arrested the situation by making it their goldmine. They build houses and sell or rent them out at crazy prices.

In rural areas, the problem is characterized by poor quality housing and a lack of basic services, such as clean drinking water. In addition, 68 percent of Kenyans lack land documentation or tenure security.

The only way the government of Kenya can somehow fulfill the demands of Article 43 is through the construction of affordable housing. , through the collaboration with the private sector on incentives and support, Kenya will be transformed.

I know there is a lot of heat about the recently signed Affordable Housing Bill. It is now official that the project is unstoppable. But the truth is, Kenyans on the other hand are struggling with the high cost of living and perhaps feel that the recent developments will hit their pockets hard.

My take is that the concerns from Kenyans should put the government on its toes. The government should realize that Kenyans are paying the Housing Levy but they want to see the cash being put into the construction of houses as it is being stated. In other words, we want houses.

Going through the Bill, there is no doubt that the signing is a significant statement that the government is keen on delivering affordable housing to Kenyans from all walks of life. This show of commitment in signing the bill should be reflected on the ground.

The ongoing Affordable housing projects across the country are pioneering new approaches to respond to the prevailing housing crisis in the country by seeking to address housing affordability which has been identified to be one of the root causes of the housing crisis in the country.

The Affordable Housing Act is a critical milestone for the hundreds of families that will be relocated to these places including low-cadre civil servants, slum dwellers, Kenyans in the informal sectors, and those who previously had no place to call home.

It’s a new dawn for them and we can only share in their joy. Affordable housing is not just a matter of economic necessity but also a fundamental aspect of human dignity. Housing as a human right is enshrined in international human rights law, emphasizing the right to live somewhere in peace, security, and dignity.

The countrywide housing affordability crisis affects people across various income groups, leading to challenges like excessive rental costs, especially in urban areas, substandard living conditions, and the risk of homelessness or eviction.

The concept of enduring affordability with dignity goes beyond mere economic considerations. It involves creating places where people can live with self-respect and pride, fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility.

Dignity in housing is not just about affordability but also about providing spaces where individuals can engage in meaningful work, interact with their community, and meet their daily needs without burdensome commutes.

Communities develop only when the needs of all residents are met. Ensuring affordable homes is a critical step in that direction.

About Soko Directory Team

Soko Directory is a Financial and Markets digital portal that tracks brands, listed firms on the NSE, SMEs and trend setters in the markets eco-system.Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/SokoDirectory and on Twitter: twitter.com/SokoDirectory

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