The affordable housing bill 2023 is set to undergo the third reading this afternoon at the national assembly after it passed the second reading on Tuesday scoring President William Ruto’s first win in his quest to sustain funding for his pet project.
The new bill was introduced to the House after the courts twice declared the 1.5 per cent Housing Levy which is meant to finance Ruto’s Affordable Housing Project unconstitutional.
Efforts by the opposition MPs to thwart the passage of the Bill failed as the government side carried the day getting 141 votes against 58.
Pleas from Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi to delay the debate of the Bill at the third reading stage were also unsuccessful as the Speaker ruled that the debate would 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 members to propose amendments but insisted on 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,” Ichung’wah said.
Several amendments have been proposed to the Bill including scrubbing the 10% deposit that was required for one to own a house.
If endorsed by two-thirds of the members present, it will pass and await its presentation to the Senate.
The President has affirmed that his legacy affordable housing project is unstoppable and would proceed at all costs, urging his troops in Parliament to marshal enough numbers.