Murang’a: Construction of 764 housing units at Makuyu area in Maragua Constituency, Murang’a County has commenced in earnest. The project to be funded to a tune of Sh1.8 billion is scheduled to be done within a period of 18 months with October 2026 set as the month of completion. It comprises eight blocks to be constructed on a 6.25-acre land parcel near Kenol-Marua highway and are categorized into three units namely, social, affordable, and market.
According to Kenya News Agency, the social category will have 160 units consisting of single, double, and three-bedroom units while the affordable category will have a total of 364 units including studios, two, and three-bedroom houses. The market category, which will have 240 units, targets high earners and includes only two and three-bedroom units.
Gakuru Muchiri, Central Regional Lead for Affordable Housing and Markets, explained during a stakeholders meeting at the project site that the social category targets low earners while affordable units are meant for medium-income earners. For the social single room units, each will cost Sh840,000, two rooms will cost Sh1.26 million, and three-room houses will sell at Sh1.68 million. Muchiri added that for affordable units, a studio will go for Sh960,000, two bedrooms cost Sh1.92 million, and three-bedrooms will sell at Sh2.88 million. The market units, targeted for high earners, are spacious with fine finishing where a two-bedroom is set to sell at Sh4.32 million and three bedrooms cost Sh5.76 million.
Muchiri highlighted that the project will improve the socio-economic status of the locals as they will benefit from employment opportunities and tenders to supply construction materials. Apart from the housing project, there will be associated infrastructure including an ECDE center, a commercial center, and a sports field to ensure easy access to social amenities.
The government, Muchiri said, is targeting to construct a total of 10,000 housing units in Murang’a, with construction already started in two sites, Makenji and Makuyu. They have identified a site at Delmonte Farm for 910 units and another area within Murang’a town for 150 units. The 220 house units at the Makenji site near Kabati area in Kandara Constituency are 47 percent complete. So far, more than 1,000 Kenyans have expressed interest in the units by registering on the Boma Yangu platform and some have raised the required 10 percent deposit.
Muchiri urged local residents to take advantage of the project for employment opportunities, especially those with artisan skills who are likely to benefit more in supplying fitting items like window panes, doors, among others.
Murang’a South Deputy County Commissioner, Gitonga Murungi, representing the county commissioner at the forum, dismissed claims of individuals owning plots at the construction site. He urged those with grievances to seek assistance from the National Land Commission, emphasizing that the land belongs to the government. Murungi added that national government administrators will spearhead sensitization forums about affordable housing for residents in rural areas.