By Abdi
Hussein
husseinabdi527@gmail.com
Kajiado town Sh120 million police housing project that stalled three years
ago has subjected police officers to deplorable living conditions.
The mega low cost housing project was scheduled to be complete in January
2017, but its completion currently stands at 75% in one wing and 25 % in the
second wing respectively prompting the government to raise the alarm.
Construction work began the100 modern units comprising bed sitters,
one to three bedroom units with the aimed of providing decent housing for police
officers.
Infrastructure and Transport Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Wavinya Ndeti
when inspecting the project recently in an impromptu visit issued a three
monthโs notice to the contractor to complete the project.
Ms Ndeti said :”It is sad the contractor was fully paid but is yet complete
job.โ
She added that other new projects will be commissioned by the
ministry before completion of the existing 46 police housing projects that
are ongoing countrywide.
“We demand value for money in all Government projects. The project ought
to provide our police officers with decent houses,โ she added.
According to government architecture in the ministry of public works, Mr
Kabugi Muruiki, the polystyrene technology aimed at cutting housing cost by up
to 50% has faced major hurdles due to lack of sufficient workmanship skills.
Mr Kabugi however says there is hope of a breakthrough as building materials
are currently being manufactured locally.
Government decision was informed by lack of sufficient rental houses in Kajiado
town with police officers hard hit as only a few shared houses that were
available.
Kajiado County Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha lauded the project saying up to five police officers
are sharing a single unit.
Nkanatha said some officers are forced to rent house at far away from their
work station causing inconveniences.
“The police service officerโs convergence between regular and
Administration officers came with the housing crisis. Most officers do not have
accommodation. Let the contractor move swiftly to put his house in
order,”said Nkanatha.
Once complete, the four storey houses designed into two flats standing within
Kajiado police station compound will be rented to senior police officers
at affordable rates and ensure decent living for the officers.