Nairobi County Government, under the leadership of Governor Johnsom Sakaja, has approved a resolution to set up afforadable houses for county staff in three satelite city locations.
The resolution was reached during the 40th county executive committee meeting held Tuesday at City Hall, Nairobi.
"During this meeting, the Cabinet engaged in thorough deliberations on various presentations, memoranda and directives," a Cabinet dispatch from City Hall said.
The committee observed that the three parcels of land where the housing units will be constructed face the risk of being encroached upon and misused due to underutilisation.
The three parcels of land are in Mavoko, Northern Bypass and off Northern Bypass.
"To address this, the Cabinet has approved a plan to develop a County Staff Housing Scheme, incorporating residential, retail, and recreational facilities. The Cabinet endorsed the partial conversion of these lands for mixed-use development, including: affordable housing for county staff; retail and commercial spaces; and, social amenities such as sports facilities and public utilities," the committee chaired by Sakaja said.
It said the policy decision will achieve three objectives, including safeguarding public land by preventing encroachment and protect county assets through productive use.
The committee further said the move will promote staff welfare through provision of affordable housing to motivate employees and improve performance as well enhance urban planning by integrating housing with retail, recreational and public spaces for sustainable development.
The committee further justified the decision saying significant public funds were spent to acquire the parcels of land and their continued disuse risks further costs in maintenance and security.
Sakaja's team also observed that promoting home ownership among county employees will enhance productivity.
Among the key benefits, they added, is that "secure and affordable housing for county employees (will) contribute to staff retention and performance" and "sustainable urban planning that combines economic utility with social welfare".
The programme borrows from President William Ruto's affordable housing programme that aims to improve families' living standards especially in slum areas.
Beneficiaries are required to register via Boma Yangu portal, the gateway into the Affordable Housing Programme, pay a deposit for their preferred house and start their journey towards home ownership.
Those in areas where houses were demolished and households evicted to give room for the new houses are given first priority.