Lawyer Willis Otieno has intensified calls for greater transparency and accountability regarding the billions of shillings collected through Kenya's Housing Levy under the Affordable Housing Programme.
In a statement posted on his X account on August 2, 2026, Otieno raised critical questions about the legal justification for mandatory deductions from salaried workers to finance housing projects on public land. He challenged why contributors must purchase houses from intermediaries who profit despite public funding.
Key Concerns Raised by Otieno
- Clarification on the legal and policy basis for compulsory Housing Levy contributions.
- Explanation for the absence of a defined end date for the levy collection.
- Demand for independently audited accounts detailing funds collected, spent, and allocated per project.
- Assurances on ownership rights proportionate to contributions made by workers.
- Publication of all contracts, procurement records, and financial statements linked to the housing programme.
Otieno emphasized that taxpayers deserve more than verbal assurances; they require evidence-based disclosure to ensure constitutional principles of transparency and prudent use of public resources are upheld.
These demands come amid ongoing debates over the programme's management. President William Ruto has defended the Housing Levy, asserting it has created jobs and financed affordable housing, markets, and student hostels. Despite this, Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu has raised concerns about restricted access to financial records related to billions disbursed under the initiative.
Under the Finance Act, 2023, both employees and employers contribute 1.5% of gross salary each to the Housing Levy. Collections rose from KSh 54 billion in 2023/2024 to KSh 73 billion in 2024/2025, reflecting the programme's expansion despite public scrutiny.
