Residents of Machakos County have backed the Affordable Housing Project, hailing it as an initiative that will enable low income earners to own houses. Speaking during a Public Participation exercise on the Housing Levy Bill led by the Parliamentary Housing Committee Vice Chair, Buuri Member of Parliament, Rindikiri Mugambi, the residents rallied behind the programme. 'The programme will give an opportunity to low incoming earners to become home owners at an affordable price,' said Joseph Kasingo a Mavoko resident. Kasingo a Jua Kali artisan said, 'I am in full support of the Affordable Housing Project. We have been paying rent for a very long time and with savings, hustlers can now buy houses and live with their families comfortably.' He added that the project had also created employment to thousands of Jua Kali artisans hence improving their livelihoods. Titus Kibicho also a resident, endorsed the project, saying it would spur economic development in the Country. Kibicho who runs a hardware, said the programme will drive demand for construction materials, creating business for him and other Kenyans in the construction industry. 'I support the idea because it will create jobs. Several sectors such as welding, cement production, roofing among others, will record a surge in business,' he said. Joyce Githiga, also speaking at the same event, held at St. Jude Catholic Church in Athi River, said those opposing the programme, do not want low income earners to become house owners. 'This is a very noble idea and I can't wait to buy my own house, where I can live with my family without worrying about rent,' noted Githiga. The Public Participation brought together leaders, members of the clergy, civil servants, business people, Jua Kali artisans and legislators. Machakos County Commissioner, Josephine Ouko, asked residents to support the programme, saying houses at the prevailing market rates, are pricey and out of reach of many ordinary Kenyans. 'The houses are cheap compared to the current market price; as a civil servant, I fully support the idea. I grew up in Jericho through a similar project by the National Housing Finance and the houses were decent,' said Ouko. Machakos Town MP, Caleb Mule, also pledged support for the programme, saying Kenyans especially those living in slums, will have an opportunity to live in decent houses with good sanitation. Mule said the government has a responsibility to ensure its citizens live in good and decent houses. MP Mugambi assured residents that their views will be incorporated in the Bill. Source: Kenya News Agency The Enterprise Banking team of Stanbic Bank Ghana has donated GHS50,000 to enable a five-month old baby with congenital heart defect to undergo surgery. Staff of the bank presented the cheque to Mr and Mrs. Agbedor, parents of the child, at the Company's end-of-year thanksgiving service held in Accra. Mr Eric Tsiri, Head of Enterprise Banking at Stanbic Bank, said access to affordable health care was a basic human right hence the commitment to support the couple. 'I am very grateful to the leadership and members of the Enterprise Banking team for allowing ourselves to be used as vessels of hope to restore baby Jaydens health. 'We are very positive today's donation will bring Gods destined plans for Jayden to manifestation, and he will certainly contribute his quota towards Ghana's growth one day,' he stated. Mr and Mrs Agbedor thanked Stanbic Bank for the support, saying the gesture would help transform the life of their ward. 'With this amount, we can already see baby Jayden having his first real smil e since birth, because he would soon have the strength to pump out a smile. 'It is more than comforting to know that there's still hope for humanity. The words of encouragement, financial assistance and the general support we have received from the employees of this great bank is what has kept us going,' Mr Agbedor stated. Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are conditions that are present at birth and can affect the structure of a baby's heart and the way it works. As part of corporate social responsibility, the staff of Stanbic Bank have carried out similar initiatives in the past, giving back to people and the communities where they operate. Source: Ghana News Agency
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