A group of construction workers on Tuesday, January 30 staged demos at the Milimani Law Courts in support of the government’s Affordable Housing project.
In a video seen by Nairobi Leo, the protestors who dressed in construction attire were carrying twigs while others had placards written “Affordable Housing is not just a programme, it is a lifeline for a better quality life.”
The builders expressed fear that the Court of Appeal’s recent decision on the Housing levy could render them employed.
“We don’t want money we want jobs,” one of the demonstrators stated.
Police officers were forced to lob teargas canisters at the rowdy group to disperse them from the Milimani Law Courts.
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The Appellate Court on Friday last week upheld the High Court decision declaring the levy unconstitutional.
A three-judge bench of Justices Lydia Achode, John Mativo and Mwaniki Gachoka ruled that the 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 explained.
Speaking after the ruling, President Ruto pointed out that the Court of Appeal should have given the government the chance to complete creating a law guiding the affordable housing project.
The Head of State insisted that he will go on with the housing project saying it will create job opportunities.
"I want to say for the avoidance of doubt we are already making the law that the court authorised that we go and make. They should have given us a chance to complete the law but we are going to complete the law and we are going to go forward with making sure we create opportunities for jobs for the young people of our country because that is what the people of Kenya want,” said Ruto.
