3,500 youths to be engaged in Kakamega housing project

Some 3,500 youth will be engaged directly and indirectly in the construction of 220 affordable housing units in Lurambi, Kakamega County.

In a statement by the State Department for Housing, the project seeks to not only offer affordable and decent housing for residents but also provide employment opportunities for the youth, women in construction and the Jua Kali sector.

“Already the developer Top Choice Surveillance Ltd has engaged Kakamega Engineering and Fabricators Association and KEFINCO Carpenters Association which have over 100 skilled artisans for a partnership in this project,” reads the statement.

President William Ruto will commission the project on Saturday afternoon during his working tour of the Western region.

The developer working on the project is expected to ring-fence the area at an estimated cost of Sh26 million.

Over 1,200 doors and 1,200 windows will be needed for the project.

The department also revealed that mobilisation is ongoing in the constituency to recruit additional members to join registered Jua Kali associations to supply construction items.

The State Department for Housing has also engaged TVETs among them Shamberere Technical Training Institute and Sigalagala National Polytechnic to provide technical support once the project commences.

The project is on a four-acre parcel of land owned by the National Government. The project is expected to be completed by April 2025.

The developer will put up nine blocks of apartments comprising 60 studio units, 20 one-bedroom units, 100 two-bedroom units and 40 three-bedroom units at an estimated cost of Sh473 million.

The existing road and water infrastructure will be expanded as well as the sewer line. The development also comes with additional spaces for public use such as a social hall, a play area, a commercial area and a tree nursery and greenery.

Lurambi residents have hailed the project as a major milestone and lauded the government for spreading the affordable housing programme to the constituency level.

It will be the third Affordable Housing Program (AHP) at the constituency level launched by the Government after Gichugu AHP and Bahati AHP.