NGPU February 13, 2023

County to continue training on Alternative Building Technology

Written by Nancy Naholi

Members of Nakuru Wanavijiji Cooperative Society, which is part of Muungano Wa Wanavijiji, have come together to put up their own homes on land they own in Barut Ward of Nakuru West Sub-county

The County`s Department of Land, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development has assisted with approvals and building inspections during the construction of the first phase of 25 units.

This was revealed by the group coordinator Sammy Njoroge when he led the group management team during a consultative meeting with the Chief Officer for Housing and Urban Development Kamau Kuria.

“We acknowledge and appreciate notable strides and continued support that H.E. Governor Kihika`s Administration has accorded us and wish to invite her to commission the first phase of the project once complete,” said Njoroge.

On his part, Mr Kuria affirmed his departmental commitment to train Muungano members on Alternative Building Materials Technology (ABMT) and make available equipment at its disposal for their use on request.

With respect to this, the County Government has continued to undertake training and sensitization of stakeholders in producing interlocking blocks as an alternative material for use in walling.

This has been achieved through working with various partners in the sector to provide capacity to the youth and other organized groups by working through housing cooperatives to realize the Affordable Housing agenda.

The administration has set up various training centres including Kagoto Vocational Training Centre (VTC) in Kiamaina Ward in Bahati Sub-county, Mirera VTC in Naivasha Sub-county Molo VCT in Molo Sub-county.

“H.E Governor Kihika’s administration is committed to working with individuals at the grassroots levels to enable them access services such as affordable housing, we will continue to make consultations with relevant agencies and facilitate Muungano to acquire sectional titles for their members on the land they have developed,” remarked the CO

This will enable members to access credit in the future making this a model development for other groups to benchmark.

Also present were members of Muungano and the Department’s Director of Housing Bernard Maruhi.