Uasin Gishu, Chinese Firm Ink Sh6Bn Housing Deal

Uasin Gishu has signed a Sh6 billion deal with China’s Wiehai International Economic and Technical Corp. for the development of homes in the county under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) financing scheme.

The PPP financing deal will involve the construction of modern high-rise residential buildings in Eldoret and the rehabilitation of 3,000 houses owned by the county government.

The project, which seeks to ease the housing shortage in Eldoret, will target Saroiyot and Elgon View – where new houses will be built – with Uhuru, Pioneer, Kidiwa, Tom Mboya, Kodhek, Mayabi, Macharia, and Kapsuswo estates being targeted for renovation.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago last week told journalists that his government had also inked deals with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the National Housing Corporation for the construction of modern estates and renovation of old county houses.

Uasin Gishu has already issued notices to those living in some of its old houses to vacate following the completion of the initial surveys for the project by the Chinese company.

RELATED: Kakamega, Chinese Firm Ink Sh4.5bn Housing Deal

However, the ultimatum has not gone down well with the tenants who have refused to vacate the houses – given that the rents charged by the county are usually below market prices.

Some tenants have already moved to court to stop the imminent evictions.

Demand for housing in counties has increased over the past two years thanks to devolution. This has seen county governments rushing to build high-density estates in major towns.

In October last year, for example, Kakamega County signed a Sh4.5 billion deal with Henan Guoji Development Corporation of China for the construction of 9,000 low-cost houses.

The project, which involves the construction of two and three-bedroom houses on 47 acres in Amalemba, is expected to partially meet the rising demand for housing in Kakamega.

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