Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga has revealed that he is set to appear before court for sentencing in a contempt of court case linked to legal challenges against the government’s Affordable Housing Programme.
Hinga disclosed on Wednesday, July 8, that he is currently defending more than 85 court cases, many of which he attributes to his role in overseeing the multi-billion-shilling housing initiative.
The PS said most of the lawsuits have been filed by a sitting senator whom he accused of repeatedly challenging government efforts to deliver affordable homes to Kenyans.
"I have over 85 cases that I am defending. This morning, I was supposed to be in court to be sentenced for contempt. I have 85 court cases, and the majority of those cases are by a sitting senator," Hinga said.
He claimed that the legal challenges were not based on allegations of corruption or misuse of public funds but were instead focused on opposition to the government’s plan to provide affordable homes to low-income earners.
"A sitting senator has taken me to court not because I have stolen money. He is questioning why I am building houses for the poor, yet as a senator you have a mortgage paid for by the Kenyan people for 20 years," Hinga stated.
Although he did not name the senator, Hinga argued that the numerous court cases have slowed down efforts to address Kenya’s housing deficit and increase home ownership among citizens.
He questioned why a majority of Kenyans continue to lack homes despite the Constitution recognising the right to own property.
"Are we Kenyans children of a lesser God? The right to own property is one of the rights protected in the Constitution of Kenya. How is it that 97 per cent of Kenyans do not own houses?" he posed.
Hinga defended the Affordable Housing Programme, insisting that the homes being constructed are intended for Kenyan citizens and not foreigners.
"Those houses we are not building for Tanzanian or Ugandan people to come and live inside them. They are for our people," he said.
The PS further argued that the programme could help Kenyans build wealth by allowing homeowners to use their properties as collateral when seeking financing from banks.
"If you own that affordable housing studio, you can walk into a bank tomorrow and use that unit to borrow a loan and start a small business to supplement your income. That is how we build wealth," Hinga said.
The Affordable Housing Programme has remained one of the flagship projects of the Kenya Kwanza administration, but it has also faced legal challenges and public debate over issues including funding, implementation and mandatory contributions.