President William Ruto took a significant step towards addressing Kenya's housing challenges by signing the Affordable Housing Bill into law on Tuesday, March 19, at State House, Nairobi.

The bill, which underwent thorough deliberation and amendments in both the National Assembly and the Senate, received unanimous approval from both chambers last week, paving the way for its enactment.

With the new law in effect, both salaried and non-salaried Kenyans will contribute 1.5 percent of their monthly earnings to the Affordable Housing Fund, a move aimed at accelerating the construction of affordable homes across the country.

Originally slated for enactment on March 18, the signing ceremony was rescheduled to March 19, as communicated by a statement from State House.

Speaking ahead of the bill's enactment, Majority Leader in the National Assembly, Kimani Ichung'wah, emphasized the transformative impact of the legislation. "The signing of the bill into law will establish a robust legal framework, enabling the immediate implementation of deductions as stipulated by the Affordable Housing Act," Ichung'wah remarked.

Previously, the government collected the housing levy through the Kenya Revenue Authority during the current financial year. However, a ruling by the High Court in November last year deemed the levy collection unconstitutional, prompting the government to pursue legislative remedies.

In response, the Affordable Housing Bill was crafted to address the court's concerns, specifically amending the Finance Act to rectify the unconstitutional aspects, including the inclusion of 1.5 percent deductions from various income sources beyond formal employment.

Furthermore, the legislation stipulates that individuals may only own a single housing unit, subject to eligibility criteria for affordable housing ownership.

President Ruto's enactment of the Affordable Housing Bill signifies a significant stride towards realizing the government's commitment to providing accessible housing for all Kenyans, heralding a new era of affordable homeownership and sustainable urban development.