South B's Mariguini residents present 9 demands to govt over planned relocation

Residents of Mariguini in Nairobi's South B ward have presented nine demands to the government, aimed at safeguarding their interests ahead of a planned relocation to pave the way for the construction of affordable houses.

This follows a verification exercise conducted per President William Ruto's directive.

Speaking during a public participation forum convened by Nairobi South B Member of County Assembly Waithera Chege on Tuesday, the structure owners called for a transparent process and the removal of rent deposits in the rent-to-own housing programme.

"We are the people and any decision that is being made in Mariguini should consider the structure owners," said Mary Wangeci, one of the landlords.

"Landlords should be given at least a two-bedroom house because we have been here for more than 40 years," James Gatuku, another landlord said.

One of the primary demands is for fair compensation.

"If and when the project starts, owners' compensation should cover any extended period of the project," Waithera stated.

The residents also want the structure owners to have one share per house, and if one owns multiple houses, they should be allowed to bring another person, such as a family member, to register as the owner.

"If you have many houses, you can bring on board another person to own the house such as family members," the legislator added.

Going further, the residents have also requested that the project be implemented in phases to avoid disputes among them.

Nairobi South MCA Waithera Chege addressing Mariguini residents during a public participation on August 6, 2024. (Photo: Maureen Kinyanjui)

Additionally, they insist that the State Department for Housing should reveal the design and cost of the project to the tenants before it kicks off.

"I know they (designs) are ready and should be made available. Even if it will be hung in the chief's office, let it be so," the MCA added.

Another key demand is to extend the rent-to-own period to 30 years from the suggested 25 years. Moreover, they are requesting a 40-month grace period to save money to purchase the houses.

"I think it's only fair that the government should not ask for a deposit," Waithera said.

The residents have also suggested that the space along Enterprise Road should act as a holding ground for them awaiting the completion of the project. They emphasised the importance of public participation at every stage of the Mariguini project.

They argued that public participation was a right anchored in the constitution

Additionally, they are calling for an audit of the Mariguini Cooperative to pave the way for the massive registration of new members, as it is seen as the easiest way to own a house.

The Affordable Housing Programme has been billed as a programme that will solve the country's housing crisis while providing jobs to about a million people a year.

The housing pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda not only aims to improve the quality of life for people but also serves as an economic stimulus, promoting enterprise growth and job creation.

The overall target by the President is to construct 200,000 affordable housing units annually which will create between 600,000 and one million jobs each year.

On March 19, 2024, President William Ruto signed into law the Affordable Housing Bill, 2023 paving the way for the government to continue collecting a housing levy of 1.5 per cent of a worker's monthly pay.

The levy is intended to pay for the construction of affordable housing for poorer Kenyans.

The law established the Affordable Housing Fund, which is intended to manage the money the government will get from the levy.