President Ruto’s Controversial Affordable Housing Bill Sails Through in Parliament

The affordable housing project on Tuesday, February, 20^th, 2024 sailed through the second reading in the National Assembly.

Efforts by the opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) to stop the passage of the Bill failed as the government side carried the day getting 141 votes against 58.

Kenya Kwanza leaning MPs toed the line and followed the command by President William Ruto and voted for the Bill to sail through.

Pleas from Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi to delay the debate of the Bill at the third reading stage were also not successful as the Speaker ruled that the debate will go on as scheduled on Wednesday afternoon.

“Due to the many amendments that have been proposed by various members on the controversial Bill, I would request that you give us time, so that we debate the Bill on Thursday to allow as many members as possible to bring amendments,” the Ugunja MP pleaded.

However, the request was opposed by Majority Leader Kimani Ichungw’ah who asked the Speaker to allow for members to propose amendments, but insisted the need for the Bill not to be delayed.

“We should not delay the debate on this Bill, any amendments can be proposed and we can even have a supplementary order paper, but this debate must come tomorrow,” stated Ichung’wah.

“I want to see which MP is going to oppose this Bill, I want to see which MP is going to deny his electorates an opportunity to get a job, because this Bill is about creation of jobs, it’s about jobs for our people.”

Several amendments have been proposed to the Bill including scrubbing the 10% deposit that was required for one to own a house.

“There was a fear that these houses will be taken by the rich at the expense of the people that could benefit from this affordable housing. And therefore we will be proposing to have one ID or one KRA Pin carry one house so that we do not have people taking advantage of this particular program and going to invest in them at the expense of the hustlers that are benefiting from this programme,” said Finance committee chair Kimani Kuria.

Division of the Affordable Housing Bill 2023 that is currently in the second reading.

Votes are as follows:

1. Hon. Samuel Chepkonga – YES
2. Hon. Benjamin Kipkirui – YES
3. Hon. Marianne Kitany – YES
4. Hon. Samuel Atandi – NO
5. Hon. Walter Owino – NO
6. Hon. Irene Njoki – YES
7. Hon. Joshua Kandie – YES
8. Hon. Makilap Kipkoros – YES
9. Hon. Nelson Koech – YES
10. Hon. Alfah Miruka Ondieki – YES
11. Hon. Linet Chepkorir – YES
12. Hon. Patrick Kibagendi – NO
13. Hon. Raphael Wanjala – NO
14. Hon. Jack Wamboka – NO
15. Hon. Kibet Kirui – YES
16. Hon. Catherine Omanyo – NO
17. Hon. Tindi Mwale – NO
18. Hon. Joseph Oyula – NO
19. Hon. Rindikiri Mugambi – YES
20. Hon. Joseph Kirima – YES
21. Hon. Paul Kibichii – YES
22. Hon. Musa Sirma – YES
23. Hon. Wehliye Keynan – YES
24. Hon. Jeptoo Ngelechei – YES
25. Hon. Gathiru Benjamin – YES
26. Hon. Julius Mawathe – NO
27. Hon. Mark Mwenje – NO
28. Hon. Pamela Njoki – YES
29. Hon. Lelemengit Joses – YES
30. Hon. Johana Ngeno – YES
31. Hon. Robert Pukose – YES
32. Hon. Oundo Wilberforce – NO
33. Hon. Dekow Mohamed – YES
34. Hon. Muriu Wakili – YES
35. Hon. Gabriel Kangombe – YES
36. Hon. Martha Wangari – YES
37. Hon. Charles Gimose – YES
38. Hon. George Kaluma – NO
39. Hon. Taitumu Julius – YES
40. Hon. Abdi Abdi Ali – YES
41. Hon. Benard Shinali – YES
42. Hon. George Koimburi – YES
43. Hon. Eve Obara – NO
44. Hon. Leah Sankaire – YES
45. Hon. Hamisi Kakuta – NO
46. Hon. Elsie Muhanda – NO
47. Hon. Paul Kahindi – NO
48. Hon. Yusuf Hassan – YES
49. Hon. Peter Irungu – YES
50. Hon. Fabian Kyule – YES
51. Hon. Oscar Sudi – YES
52. Hon. Adipo Andrew – NO
53. Hon. Charles Were – NO
54. Hon. Robert Mbui – NO
55. Hon. Kipsanai Adams – YES
56. Hon. Julius Ruto – YES
57. Hon. John Wanjiku – YES
58. Hon. Anne Wanjiku Mugo – YES
59. Hon. Peter Ochieng – NO
60. Hon. Mwengi Mutuse – YES
61. Hon. Joseph Munyoro – YES
62. Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah – YES
63. Hon. Getrude Mbeyu – NO
64. Hon. Owen Baya – YES
65. Hon. Bisau Kakai – YES
66. Hon. Gonzi Rai – YES
67. Hon. Kwenya Thuku – YES
68. Hon. Joseph Kimutai – YES
69. Hon. Hilary Kosgei – YES
70. Hon. Njeri Maina – YES
71. Hon. Joseph Gitari – YES
72. Hon. Joshua Oron – NO
73. Hon. Rozaah Buyu – NO
74. Hon. Irene Kasalu – NO
75. Hon. Nimrod Mbai – YES
76. Hon. Edith Nyenze – NO
77. Hon. Japheth Nyakundi – YES
78. Hon. Anthony Kibagendi – NO
79. Hon. Josep Tonui – YES
80. Hon. Kitayama Maisori – YES
81. Hon. Fatuma Masito – NO
82. Hon. Ferdinand Wanyonyi – YES
83. Hon. Abdirahman Abdi – YES
84. Hon. Jane Kagiri – YES
85. Hon. Festus Mwangi – YES
86. Hon. Stephen Wachira – YES
87. Hon. Ruweida Obo – YES
88. Hon. Stanley Muriuri – YES
89. Hon. Joseph Kahangara – YES
90. Hon. Mishi Mboko – NO
91. Hon. Innocent Mugabe – NO
92. Hon. Akuja Protus – YES
93. Hon. Oyugi Dick – NO
94. Hon. Chiforomodo Mangale – YES
95. Hon. Kamene Joyce – NO
96. Hon. Caleb Mule – YES
97. Hon. Susan Kiamba – NO
98. Hon. Malulu Injendi – YES
99. Hon. HusseinWeytan Mohamed – NO
100. Hon. Haro Ibrahim – YES
101. Hon. Yusuf Adan Haji – YES
102. Hon. Mukunji Gitonga – YES
103. Hon. Mary Wamaua – YES
104. Hon. Kangogo Bowen – YES
105. Hon. Timothy Toroitich – YES
106. Hon. Naomi Waqo – YES
107. Hon. Odanga Geoffrey – NO
108. Hon. Edwin Mugo – YES
109. Hon. Eric Mwangi – YES
110. Hon. Kassim Tandaza – YES
111. Hon. Oscar Nabulindo – NO
112. Hon. Stephen Mule – NO
113. Hon. Geoffrey Ruku – YES
114. Hon. Benard Muriuki – YES
115. Hon. Elizabeth Karambu – YES
116. Hon. Fatuma Mohamed – NO
117. Hon. Reuben Kiborek – YES
118. Hon. Phyliss Bartoo – YES
119. Hon. Kimani Kuria – YES
120. Hon. Zamzam Mohamed – NO
121. Hon. Abraham Kirwa – YES
122. Hon. James Onyango – NO
123. Hon. Betty Maina – YES
124. Hon. Machele Mohamed – NO
125. Hon. Mary Maingi – YES
126. Hon. Charles Nguna – NO
127. Hon. Liza Chelule – YES
128. Hon. David Gikaria – YES
129. Hon. Rebecca Tonkei – YES
130. Hon. Agnes Pareiyo – YES
131. Hon. Ole Ntutu Kitilai – YES
132. Hon. Gabriel Tongoyo – YES
133. Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe – YES
134. Hon. George Gachagua – YES
135. Hon. GK Macharia – YES
136. Hon. Charity Kathambi – YES
137. Hon. Joash Nyamoko – YES
138. Hon. Mohamed Ali – YES
139. Hon. Jerusha Momanyi – YES
140. Hon. Faith Gitau – YES
141. Hon. Jared Okelo – NO
142. Hon. Duncan Mathenge – YES
143. Hon. Muchira Michael – YES
144. Hon. Michael Wainaina – YES
145. Hon. Otiende Amolo – NO
146. Hon. Paul Kibet – YES
147. Hon. Mwafrika Kamande – YES
148. Hon. TJ Kajwang – NO
149. Hon. Simon Kingara – YES
150. Hon. Eric Muchangi – YES
151. Hon. Clement Sloya – YES
152. Hon. Caleb Amisi – NO
153. Hon. Dido Raso – YES
154. Hon. Pauline Lenguris – YES
155. Hon. Lekumontare Jackson – YES
156. Hon. James Nyikal – NO
157. Hon. Ikana Fredrick – YES
158. Hon. Christine Ombaka – NO
159. Hon. Justice Kemei – YES
160. Hon. John Waluke – YES
161. Hon. Francis Sigei – YES
162. Hon. Shadrack Mwiti – YES
163. Hon. Silvanus Osoro – YES
164. Hon. David Kiplangat – YES
165. Hon. Caroli Omondi – YES
166. Hon. Gachobe Kinuthia – YES
167. Hon. Junet Mohamed – NO
168. Hon. Peter Masara – NO
169. Hon. Lydia Mzighi – YES
170. Hon. Amina Dika – YES
171. Hon. Mary Emaase – YES
172. Hon. George Murugara – YES
173. Hon. Susan Ngugi – YES
174. Hon. Alice Nganga – YES
175. Hon. John Mutunga – YES
176. Hon. Julius Melly – YES
177. Hon. John Chikati – YES
178. Hon. Siyoi Lilian – YES
179. Hon. Ngikolok Nicholas – YES
180. Hon. John Ariko – NO
181. Hon. David Ochieng – YES
182. Hon. Opiyo Wandayi – NO
183. Hon. Kagesi Kivai – YES
184. Hon. Beatrice Adagala – YES
185. Hon. Abdi Chome – NO
186. Hon. Fatuma Jehow – NO
187. Hon. Mohamed Aden Daudi – YES
188. Hon. Adow Mohamed Aden – NO
189. Hon. Danson Mwashako – NO
190. Hon. Robert Basil – NO
191. Hon. Ali Khalif – YES
192. Hon. Sabina Chege – YES
193. Hon. Suleka Harun – YES
194. Hon. Dorothy Ikiara – YES
195. Hon. Joseph Wainaina – YES
196. Hon. Jackson Kosgei – YES
197. Hon. John Mbadi – NO
198. Hon. Talib Abubakara – YES