Principal Secretary in the Department of Housing and Urban Planning Charles Hinga on Friday, February 17, revealed plans to impose taxes on owners of idle land in the country.
Addressing a retreat in Naivasha, the PS stated that taxing idle land will serve as a deterrent to owners who hold land without making it useful either in housing or food production.
In his submission, PS Hinga noted that landowners would be forced to either develop structures on their land or sell them to other developers hence benefiting the larger society and economy.
The taxation measure, he noted, would help to avail more land to develop housing units under the Affordable Housing Plan.
Hinga was responding to questions raised by Members of the Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Planning led by Chairperson Karungo wa Thang’wa.
Other measures announced by the PS include a plan to convince state corporations holding idle land to cede it to the government in support of the settlement plan.
Further, the CS proposed a plan to relocate correctional facilities domiciled in towns to create room for the development of decent units.
On their part, Senators resolved to offer the requisite support by passing the requisite legislation in Parliament.
“Housing is not just a basic human need, it is a fundamental human right,” Senator Thang’wa noted.
President William Ruto’s government promised to upgrade settlement structures in different urban centres in line with achieving the goal of decent housing for Kenya’s population.
Since his ascension to the Presidency, he has presided over the launch of housing projects with an aim of delivering over 100,000 housing units.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE
