Kenya’s Habitat for Humanity (HFH) Kenya and the Homa Bay County Government have joined forces to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at bolstering collaboration towards the provision of affordable housing in the region.
The MoU, signed at the Habitat for Humanity offices in Nairobi, marks a significant step towards fostering sustainable development in Homa Bay County. Her Excellency Governor Glady Wanga and Habitat for Humanity Kenya National Director Anthony Okoth led the signing ceremony, underlining the commitment to address the housing needs of residents in the county and improve their overall quality of life.
“I am pleased to announce that this alliance aligns with our vision for sustainable development in Homa Bay County. Through our partnership with Habitat for Humanity Kenya, we aim to enhance the housing situation for our residents,” said Governor Gladys Wanga during the signing of the MoU.
Anthony Okoth, the National Director of Habitat For Humanity Kenya, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing their dedication to sustainable and innovative shelter solutions, improved land tenure options, effective water management, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as livelihood and market-based interventions.
Habitat for Humanity Kenya has already made significant strides in Homa Bay County, having invested over Kes 91 million since 2016 to build houses for vulnerable families, rehabilitate water points, and provide training on the production of Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks (ISSB) to groups comprising youths, women, and people with disabilities.
The collaboration also focuses on addressing critical issues faced by vulnerable communities in Homa Bay County, such as land tenure insecurity and recurring flooding. Governor Gladys Wanga highlighted the importance of the partnership in securing land tenure, particularly for vulnerable groups such as widows and orphans.
“The determination of Homa Bay County to team up with HFH Kenya aims to secure land tenure, especially for vulnerable groups. Many individuals are currently unable to afford the cost of succession processes, leaving them in precarious situations. We extend our gratitude to HFH Kenya for their willingness to contribute their expertise to alleviate this issue,” affirmed Governor Gladys Wanga.
Addressing the challenges of obtaining land titles and the succession process, County Attorney Counsel Fredrick Orego stressed the primary concerns. In response, HFH Kenya expressed their commitment to collaborate with stakeholders, including civil society organizations like the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), to provide legal clinics, offer advice, raise awareness, and empower individuals.
The collaboration between HFH Kenya and Homa Bay County Government signifies a crucial step towards addressing the housing and land tenure challenges faced by vulnerable communities, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainable development and improved livelihoods in the region.
