Examination of The Institutional Capacity of Ministry of Land and Settlement, Ministry of Housing and Kisumu City Council Towards Low Cost Housing Development in Kenya

Abstract

This study was to evaluate the Kenya Government housing policies and strategies for housing the urban poor in Kenya, and how the citizen has benefited from the scheme/plan. Objective of the article was to examine the institutional capacity of ministry of land and settlement, ministry of housing and Kisumu city council towards low-cost housing development. The research question was, how effective are the various Kenya Government Housing Policies and implementation strategies targeting the provisions of low-cost Housing to the urban poor in Kisumu City? The study adopted quantitative survey research design. Primary data was collected through structured interviews/interview guide, self-administered questionnaires (Delivery and collection questionnaires), observation and check list. Secondary data was collected from Kenya government national housing policies, national development plans, research publications, internet among others. Quantitative data was summarized, categorized, interpreted and analyzed using Tables and percentages. Simple random sampling was used in this study. The researchers‟ target population of 218,766 and sample size of 384 was ideal for this method of sampling. Statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data collected from the field. Correlation analysis was done on both dependent and independent variables with supply of electricity as the control group. Findings revealed that provision of low-cost housing is negatively correlated to provision of adequate road, electricity and water (coefficient = -0.9366059, P = 0.000, 95% C.I = -1.459989 –0.4132226). Recommendations for policy action included review of the current national housing policy and implementation strategies and further research on urban planning, land tenure system, infrastructure and services, housing finance mechanism, small scale construction activities, community participation, municipal budgetary base and experimental pilot projects.