Blow to Ruto as New Petition Filed Against Housing Levy
The levy came into effect to help the government achieve its affordable housing agenda under the Kenya Kwanza manifesto...
✨ Key Highlights
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and various lobby groups have filed a new petition at the High Court challenging President William Ruto's affordable housing levy, arguing it is unconstitutional and detrimental to Kenyans.
- The petition claims the levy has driven many Kenyans into poverty and is being used as a political tool for favoritism, citing the allocation of houses to teachers and Harambee Stars players.
- The levy imposes a mandatory 1.5 percent deduction on employees' gross salaries, matched by employers, to fund the National Housing Development Fund.
- The petitioners, including Transparency International Kenya and the Institute for Social Accountability, argue the levy has negatively impacted over 20 million Kenyans in the informal sector and has not advanced the right to housing.
- Despite a previous ruling upholding the levy's constitutionality, KHRC insists its petition is based on new grounds, particularly economic retrogression and politicization of public resources.
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Ruto's Administration Responds to Criticism, Clarifies US Immigrant Stance, and Faces Housing Levy Petition - September 2025
Allies of President William Ruto, led by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, have hit back at former President Uhuru Kenyatta's criticism of the current administration, accusing him of making hypocritical claims. On a separate matter, President Ruto clarified that Kenya has not received a formal request from the United States to accept deported illegal immigrants, despite similar deals with other African nations. The administration is also facing a new legal challenge to its affordable housing levy. The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and various lobby groups have filed a new petition at the High Court. The petition argues that the housing levy is unconstitutional and detrimental to Kenyans.
