The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works led by Hon. Johana Ngeno (Emurua Dikirr) carried out inspection visits of several housing projects within Nairobi county. The projects which are located in Parklands, Starehe and Shauri Moyo form part of the Government plan to realize affordable housing for Kenyans of low income.

The first project to be visited by the team was Parkroad which is the flagship project for affordable housing. The project which sits on 7.9 acreas was commissioned in April 2013 by the former President His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta. The project was completed in 2020. It comprises 1370 units out of which 1220 units are occupied. This translates to   89 percent occupancy rate .

Members raised concerns about the state of workmanship in the structures and questioned why the contractor was awarded a completion certificate despite the many faults in the buildings.

According to the legislators, the State Department for Housing and Public Works failed to be accountable in the handing over process. The National Housing Corporation(NHC) went ahead to carry out renovations on the units after they were transferred to them before occupation, raising concerns on quality of work done by the contractor.

“Tax payers money was inappropriately used by the NHC to undertake renovate houses whose construction had just been concluded,” said Hon Ngeno.

The residents pleaded with the Committee to intervene and help them address challenges that they are facing. These challenges include insecurity, poor drainage, leaking roofs and water shortage.