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On Tuesday, the new bill passed the second reading in Parliament.
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After split voting, 141 MPs cast their ballot in favour of the bill against 58 who opposed it.
Image: FILE
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris now says that the controversial housing levy is worth it.
Speaking in a Thursday interview on TV47, Passaris outlined the benefits that Nairobi citizens would enjoy if the housing levy is implemented.
"Once we start building houses in urban centres, we will free a lot of agricultural land," she noted.
"For me, it is worth it because if I get 200,000 houses in Nairobi over the next four years because of this fund, a lot of my citizens would be living in good places, and a lot of job opportunities would be created."
She also reiterated that if the housing levy is implemented, then the nation would be complying with the world's agenda for decent housing.
When concerns were raised about the housing fund getting lost to corruption, the Nairobi Woman Rep said no one can guarantee that there will be no corruption.
"Laws are there and EACC should be on the case of those exposed in corruption cases and make arrests," Passaris said.
Passaris in an earlier interview with KTN News, said it was a necessary sacrifice that Kenyans will eventually be able to enjoy.
"Without pain, there is no gain, we need to eliminate slums. Nairobi should not have people living in indignity. We need better housing for our people," Passaris said
On Tuesday, the new bill passed the second reading in Parliament.
After split voting, 141 MPs cast their ballot in favour of the bill against 58 who opposed it.
“I now wish to announce the voting to the House. In a division on the second reading of the Affordable Housing Bill, 2023, the results are as follows; the ayes 141, the nays 58; total votes 199, abstentions nil, so the ayes have it,” Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said.
During Wednesday's session, the Bill went into the third reading and if endorsed by two-thirds of the members present, it will pass and await its presentation to the Senate.
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 President William Ruto’s Affordable Housing Project unconstitutional.
Judges said the levy was not only discriminatory and unfair as it excluded earners in the informal sector but that it was also never subjected to public participation.