President William Ruto, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, and Principal Secretary Housing Charles HInga during the laying of the foundation stone of Kanduyi Affordable Housing Project, Bungoma County. [ELLY OKWARE, PCS]

Busia County is set to embark on the construction of 10,000 affordable houses in partnership with the national government.

Busia Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) and the Alema area in Nangina, Funyula constituency have been identified for the construction of the affordable housing units.

The Chief Officer for Lands, Survey and Housing, Vincent Wanjala, and a team from the State Department of Housing on Monday assessed the proposed parcels of land in the two areas.

Wanjala said the project's goal is to promote urban economic growth, improve livelihoods and create job opportunities.

"Apart from ATC and Alema, this project will also be implemented in Milimani, Bumala, Nambale, Angurai and Malaba. Student residences will be constructed at Alupe University in Teso South and Butula KMTC. The county administration also plans to construct 15 market centres," he said.

State Department of Housing Director Polycarp Onyango noted that 880 units at a cost of Sh2.6 billion will constructed in the Funyula project.

"Apart from affordable housing units we will also have a smart city at ATC, social housing units, commercial centres, hostel outlets at the two mentioned public institutions and markets," said Onyango.

He urged residents to embrace the affordable housing project to ensure its implementation.

"I urge Busia residents to embrace the project and be among the first to purchase the units when they are floated for sale," he said.

Funyula MP Oundo Mudenyo said they will work closely with the county government to deliver the project in record time.

"We are eager to reap the benefits of this project and we have asked the State Department and the contractor to ensure locals fully benefit from the initiative including labourers and building materials," he said.

Mudenyo dismissed claims that he was opposed to the affordable housing project.

"We are against the Housing Levy and not this project. This is a national government project for the people of Funyula constituency and Busia as a whole. I can assure you we have the blessings of Azimio leadership," he said.