Ruto's Directive To Workers, Contractors Working In The Affordable Housing Project

President William Ruto has directed all contractors and workers working under the Affordable Housing Program to continue with work despite the court suspending the Housing Levy.

Speaking on Thursday, February 1 in Bungoma County, the President said some Housing Project contractors were speaking on the housing levy case.

"I saw yesterday some contractors have started spreading rumors, I don't know what is in court. I want to tell all the young people in Kenya and the contractors working in the housing program to continue with their work because there is no way we can take someone out of work where they earn their livelihood,” said Ruto.

The Head of State wondered where he would take the over one hundred thousand workers working on the project. Ruto also noted that he will push for the project to hire over five hundred people by the end of the year.

“Where will I take a hundred thousand people? Let them continue working. First, I want to push so that by the end of this year, half a million young people will be working in the housing program,” he added.

The Court of Appeal on Friday last week upheld the High Court decision declaring the levy unconstitutional.

 A three-judge bench comprising Justices Lydia Achode, John Mativo, and Mwaniki Gachoka ruled that the government’s decision to impose the housing levy did not follow the stipulated framework.

"The trial Court held that the Housing Levy was introduced without a legal framework. It also held that the levy was targeting a section of Kenyans. In our view, public interest lies in awaiting the determination of the appeal," the judges stated.

However, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has appealed the  Court of Appeal ruling at the Supreme Court.