The Central Organisation of Trade Union COTU, has denied claims by Housing Parament Secretary Charles Hinga that it took part in drafting controversial Affordable Housing Regulations. In a press statement released on Saturday, COTU Secretary General, Atwoli says they would never have agreed to affordable housing levy being used to build other amenities that are already budgeted for within the National Budget.
”As COTU (K) we have never been consulted, either formally or informally, in the development, review, or approval of the current Affordable Housing Regulations.” read part of the statement. Atwoli continued ” In fact, at no point did the Executive Board of COTU (K), which is the legally mandated organ responsible for such organizational decisions, sit to deliberate or resolve to support the said regulations.”
Atwoli is now challenging Hinga to produce any evidence to show that COTU was involved in the process. ”If indeed PS Hinga claims that COTU (K) was involved, we challenge him to produce any written resolutions, minutes, or official correspondence from COTU (K)’s Executive Board endorsing the drafting or content of the said Affordable Housing Regulations.” he stated.
The COTU Secretary General says they have never received any communication from the Affordable Housing Board or from PS Hinga inviting them to give their views on the regulations.
Atwoli, has termed untrue Hinga’s remarks that one of the COTU Board members Ernest Nadome who is the representative of the workers body on the Affordable Housing Fund Board, was involved in the drafting of the regulations saying they are entirely misplaced considering the fact that Nadome’s role is clearly defined within the governance structure of the Fund and does not extend to making independent policy decisions on behalf of COTU (K).
On Friday Hinga said, COTU was one of the very few organisations that had the privilege of drafting the Housing Act, claiming it was represented in person.
COTU is warning that If this trend persists, the affordable housing levy would soon be redirected to do other development projects like building of roads, dams, and other heavy expense projects while leaving workers exposed without decent housing.
Atwoli has called on President, William Samoei Ruto, to urgently intervene and ensure that the Affordable Housing Levy remains for delivering decent, dignified, and affordable homes for Kenyans.
