Affordable housing units at Homa Bay Boma Yangu Estate. PHOTO/UGC.

By SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) in Kenya has denied claims by Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga that it participated in drafting the Affordable Housing Regulations.

In a statement, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli described Hinga’s remarks as false and misleading. He warned that workers’ funds could be misused under the pretext of the housing levy.

“At no point did the Executive Board of COTU, which is the legally mandated body responsible for such decisions, meet to deliberate or approve the said regulations,” Atwoli said. He challenged PS Hinga to provide minutes or official documents showing COTU’s endorsement.

Atwoli also clarified that COTU’s representative on the Affordable Housing Fund Board, Ernest Nadome, did not have the authority to commit the union to the regulations without approval from the Executive Board.

He added, “No individual is authorised to commit the organisation to a matter of such magnitude without the express approval of the Executive Board.”

The union expressed concern that the housing levy might be used to fund infrastructure projects already covered by the national budget, such as roads and dams, calling this practice dishonest and a betrayal of workers’ trust.

COTU has called on President William Ruto to intervene urgently and ensure that the housing levy is used solely to provide decent and affordable housing for Kenyans.

Atwoli reaffirmed the union’s opposition to the current direction of the housing programme, citing inadequate consultation and the risk of diverting workers’ funds to unrelated projects.