Petition seeks to block Ruto's directive on affordable housing units for police and teachers
The petitioners told the court that millions of citizens — including unemployed youth, informal sector workers, other civil servants, and the general public — contribute to the housing project through taxation, yet were sidelined by the directive.
The High Court has been asked to nullify President William Ruto's directive reserving 20 per cent of affordable housing units for police officers and teachers.
Advocates John Ndegwa Maina and Marshall Tito Ongoya, both human rights defenders, filed the petition arguing that the president acted unlawfully when he made the announcements on June 3 and September 13, 2025.
According to the petition, the pronouncements were issued without the mandatory public participation, thereby violating the Constitution.
The lawyers contend that the decision was discriminatory because it gave teachers and police officers an undue advantage over other Kenyans equally entitled to the programme’s benefits.
Millions sidelined
They told the court that millions of citizens — including unemployed youth, informal sector workers, other civil servants, and the general public — contribute to the housing project through taxation, yet were sidelined by the directive.
"The move amounts to preferential treatment and undermines inclusivity and equality," they said, insisting that the allocation scheme unfairly locks out the majority of Kenyans.
The petitioners are asking the court to bar the president, his ministries, and agencies from enforcing the directive. They also want Parliament to be compelled to establish clear regulations to guide the allocation of affordable housing units in line with the Constitution.
Named as respondents and interested parties in the case are the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Urban Development, the Affordable Housing Board, the National Police Service, the Teachers Service Commission, and unions representing police officers and teachers.
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