ODM leader Raila Odinga and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir in Maganda, Jomvu, on Tuesday / BRIAN OTIENO

The affordable housing programme must be holistic and the units must have integrated development for them to be effective, ODM leader Raila Odinga has said.

He said the affordable houses must be accompanied by a market, a school, a hospital and a playing ground for the children.

“There must be a place where people can sit and entertain themselves and take what we call one for the road,” Raila said.

He said this way, the government will have created an environment where Kenyans will enjoy the five fundamental rights under the constitution that should never be violated at any cost. These include the right to life, right to food, right to accommodation, right to education and right to quality healthcare.

Speaking in Mombasa on Tuesday, he said the government must also ensure that beneficiaries of the units have jobs.

“You cannot build someone a house and tell them to pay a deposit yet they have no job. Where will they get the rent money?” Raila posed.

“There must be a place where people can sit and entertain themselves and take what we call one for the road,” Raila said.

He said this way, the government will have created an environment where Kenyans will enjoy the five fundamental rights under the constitution that should never be violated at any cost.

These include the right to life, right to food, right to accommodation, right to education and right to quality healthcare.

He spoke after laying the foundation stone for the Maganda ECD in Miritini, Jomvu constituency.

An example of this model is the Nyali affordable housing project in the VoK area of Mombasa, which aims to construct 1,976 housing units.

The project includes amenities like primary and secondary schools, a playing ground, a health facility, a police post and a market.

Prices for the units start from Sh640,000, with flexible payment options available, including a 10 per cent deposit and monthly instalments, according to government website.

The project is designed to create a vibrant, inclusive and self-sustaining community with social amenities like a kindergarten, secondary school, and a level 4 hospital, according to the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority.

The affordable housing programme is designed to be a legacy project for President William Ruto.

On Tuesday, Raila said that is why he agreed to sign an agreement with Ruto.

He said ODM stands and fights for the rights of the citizens, including the rights to own property, to life and get jobs.

“That is why ODM will remain in existence for a long time,” Raila said.