Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga has disclosed that he is due to be sentenced in a contempt of court case challenging the legality of the Affordable Housing programme.

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The PS on Wednesday, July 8, revealed that he is currently defending more than 85 lawsuits, most of which he claims stem from his role in spearheading the multi-billion-shilling project.

Hinga said the numerous legal battles have mainly been driven by a sitting senator whom he accused of repeatedly challenging the government's efforts to deliver affordable homes to Kenyans.

"I have over 85 cases that I am defending. This morning, I was supposed to be in court to be sentenced for contempt. I have 85 court cases, and the majority of those cases are by a sitting senator," Hinga said.

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The PS claimed the senator was not accusing him of corruption or misappropriation of public funds but was merely opposed to the affordable housing projects targeting low-income earners.

"A sitting senator has taken me to court not because I have stolen money. He is questioning why I am building houses for the poor, yet as a senator you have a mortgage paid for by the Kenyan people for 20 years," Hinga added.

Without naming the senator, Hinga argued that the court cases have slowed efforts to address Kenya's housing shortage and expand home ownership among ordinary Kenyans.

He questioned why millions of Kenyans remain without homes despite the Constitution guaranteeing every citizen the right to own property.

"Are we Kenyans children of a lesser God? The right to own property is one of the rights protected in the Constitution of Kenya. How is it that 97 per cent of Kenyans do not own houses?" he posed.

Hinga defended the Affordable Housing Programme, insisting the houses under construction are meant to benefit Kenyans rather than foreigners .

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke