The High Court in Kisumu, on Monday, March 4, upheld the progression of the Affordable Housing Bill by throwing out a petition challenging its validity.

The petition, brought forward by Lawrence Omule Apiyo, contested the processing of the Affordable Housing Bill, listing the Attorney General, the Cabinet Secretary for Lands, and the National Assembly as respondents. Apiyo argued that the bill had not undergone satisfactory public participation.

However, the court ruled that the National Assembly had conducted effective and constitutionally compliant public participation concerning the Affordable Housing Bill. It was further revealed that the National Assembly had invited public comments on the bill, both physically and through email, within a specified timeline.

The petitioner raised concerns about the short timeline provided for public participation, but the National Assembly defended its process by emphasizing that it had conducted various forms of public engagement, including meetings and feedback mechanisms.

The court concurred with the respondents, stating that the petition breached the principle of ripeness, as the petitioner presumed the mode of public participation intended by the National Assembly when filing the petition.

The Affordable Housing Bill was passed by the National Assembly on February 2 and subsequently forwarded to the Senate for further deliberation.