Charles Hinga, a member of Parliament for Housing and the Urban Planning Sector, has advocated for the establishment of a tax on vacant land.
Hinga claims this will prevent landowners from speculatively keeping undeveloped land.
His remarks came last Friday in Naivasha, Nakuru, at the Senate Induction Retreat on Roads, Transportation, and Housing.
Hinga continued by saying the proposal will compel landowners to build on their properties or sell to commercial developers.
The PS said that land prices in the Nation’s Capital are exceptionally high because its owners are speculatively waiting for prices to rise.
Also, Hinga recommended relocating jails constructed in the core of major urban centers to make way for the low-cost housing project.
He stated that due to the lack of an affordable housing plan, 92% of the people in Nairobi are renters.
The PS emphasized that the scheme would end the proliferation of squatter camps.
The administration led by President William Ruto has begun various low-cost housing projects across the country, totaling about 26,788 units, since assuming office.
According to Hinga, the government plans to unveil three new initiatives in Makongeni, Starehe, and Thika this coming May.
In total, there will be 50,000 dwellings there.
The government’s annual goal of providing 200,000 homes for people of all income levels is part of the National Development Plan, Vision 2030.
