COTU Denies Involvement in Drafting Affordable Housing Regulations as PS Hinga Insists Otherwise
COTU Denies Involvement in Drafting Affordable Housing Regulations as PS Hinga Insists Otherwise
/>Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) secretary general Francis Atwoli/FILE
A sharp disagreement has emerged between the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) and the Principal Secretary for Housing and Urban Development, Charles Hinga, over the controversial Affordable Housing Levy.
COTU, led by Secretary General Francis Atwoli, has firmly rejected claims made by PS Hinga that the union participated in drafting the Affordable Housing Regulations. According to Atwoli, the union was not consulted at any point during the formulation of the regulations or the legislation governing the Affordable Housing Programme.
> “As COTU, we are clear and unequivocal that there was no consultation,” said Atwoli. “If there was any, we would not have agreed to the levy being used to fund amenities already covered in the national budget.”
The union expressed concern that funds collected under the housing levy could be misappropriated or diverted to other projects outside the housing sector, such as roads and dams. Atwoli warned that unless the government ring-fences the levy strictly for the construction of affordable homes, its original intention could be lost.
Call for Presidential Intervention
COTU is now appealing to President William Ruto to step in and ensure that the Affordable Housing Levy is used solely for building dignified and affordable homes for Kenyan workers. The union fears the current legal framework opens the door for potential misuse of the funds, allowing the levy to be redirected toward unrelated development projects.
PS Hinga Defends Government Position
In response to the backlash, PS Hinga maintained that COTU was involved in both the legislative and regulatory processes of the housing programme. He emphasized that the initiative aims not only to build homes but also to create complete communities with essential infrastructure like markets and public amenities.
> “Affordable housing is not just about homes. It’s about creating environments where people can live, work, and thrive,” said Hinga.
Despite Hinga’s statements, COTU has challenged him to produce concrete evidence—such as minutes, written resolutions, or formal communications from its executive board—to prove that the union was indeed involved in drafting the regulations.
Concerns Over Transparency
The latest standoff comes at a time when Kenyans are demanding greater transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. COTU's stance reflects broader fears that public participation is being sidelined in critical national initiatives, raising questions about stakeholder involvement in shaping public policy.
Atwoli also criticized the government for bypassing workers' representatives during the regulatory review process. He reiterated that the union had not received any formal invitations from the Housing Board or PS Hinga to participate or provide input on the regulatory framework.
Conclusion
The debate over the Affordable Housing Levy underscores a broader challenge facing Kenya’s public policy-making: the need for genuine stakeholder engagement and fiscal accountability. As the government pushes forward with the housing programme, all eyes are now on whether President Ruto will respond to COTU’s call and ensure that workers' contributions are safeguarded for their intended purpose.
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