Kwame Owino, CEO of the Institute for Economic Affairs, maintains that the National Housing Levy proposed in the Finance Bill 2023 is a "bad idea" and that Kenyans should not be duped into accepting it.
During a debate on the Finance Bill hosted by Citizen TV on Wednesday, Owino stated that the government's earnest desire to implement the housing tax program aims to meet commitments made to contractors and other beneficiaries of the controversial Housing program.
"Kenyans...whoever has the opportunity to listen to me, I am not an elected member of parliament, I am not running for election, and I do not work for the government." "Let me tell you, this is a terrible idea," Kwame stated.
He said they need to be more accurate with the problem because the PSs have committed to people who are supposed to build houses and have given them free land.
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According to Owino, President William Ruto's administration's proposal needs to be more honest with Kenyans and benefit only a few in society.
Owino thinks that the State should have enabled investors to build the houses first, with an assurance given to the contractor who completes the project satisfactorily.
Owino dismissed the Fund, claiming it was an additional burden on Kenyans, particularly those in the public sector.
Referring to the existing housing mortgage, which he underlined is being supported by taxpayers, Owino stated that most Kenyans struggled with low income and did not necessarily require better accommodation.
He stated that if the government was serious about solving the country's housing crisis, it should focus on rising income levels rather than creating houses for citizens and forcing them to buy them.
The Institute for Economic Affairs CEO also rejects the government's claim that the Affordable Housing Program will create many jobs.
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