Aasai

The Majority Leader in the National Assembly, Kimani Ichungwah, has dismissed concerns that President William Ruto overstepped his authority by promising Harambee Stars players cheap houses without following the legally defined criteria. During the ongoing 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), President Ruto promised Ksh 1 million to each member of the Harambee Stars team for each match won, Ksh 500,000 per draw, and Ksh 60 million if they reached the quarter finals. He also promised Ksh 70 million to qualify for the semi-finals and Ksh 600 million if the team wins the competition. 

Following Harambee Stars victory over Morocco, the President escalated the situation, promising each player a two-room house under the Affordable Housing Scheme, with an additional Ksh 1 million if they won the quarter-finals, and three bedrooms were added to the teams win in the semi-finals. During the Parliament session on Thursday, Kathiani Member of Parliament Robert Mbui questioned the validity of the Presidents version, citing the need for transparency in the distribution process. 

"The only concern I had, that hasn been addressed in the regulations, because I support the regulations...how can we make the process more transparent? How do we make sure that no one can favor certain people or give a home to their friends and relatives?" Mbui posed. "Recently, the President gave cheap houses to Harambee Stars and said he would pay for them. Did we intend to have a law that the President can decide who should be given a house? Thats one of the issues we need to address clearly." In response, Ichungwah clarified that the President does not have the power to allocate the required housing; instead, by allowing the players to pay the house fee, he has given them a cash payment in the process. "When it comes to political issues, he (the Grape) has a selective hearing on what the President said. The President offered to help Harambee Stars players by paying their deposit. He also told them to register first for the program," the Kikuyu MP explained. “There is nothing in the regulations that allows the President to set aside cheap houses, thats why he asked them to register, and after that, he will help pay the deposit so that they can be allocated a unit. The discussion came as MPs discussed the argument of Ainabkoi Member of Parliament, Samuel Chepkonga, regarding the consideration of the Affordable Housing Regulations, 2025, which Mbui and Ichungwah supported. In order for a person to get the Affordable Homes unit, he has to access the gate of My Boma through registration on the website itself or through *832# USSD. Registration is free, but one must have an eCitizen account.