Southlands housing artistic impression in Lang'ata/BOMA YANGUPrincipal Secretary for Housing and Urban Development Charles Hinga has pushed back against a petition filed by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah challenging the Southlands Affordable Housing Project in Langata.
In replying documents filed in court, Hinga defended the government’s position, urging the court to dismiss Omtatah’s petition and lift conservatory orders that have stalled the project.
He argues that the State Department for Housing and Urban Development fully complied with public participation, environmental and planning requirements in implementing the Southlands Affordable Housing Project.
Hinga maintained that meaningful public participation was undertaken through household surveys, key informant interviews and public barazas conducted across Kibra Lots 1 to 5 in Mugumo-ini Ward within Langata Constituency.
"The barazas brought together community members, youth leaders, ministry representatives and consultants in open engagements," he states.
According to the affidavit, the ministry initially held public meetings at Ngei Primary School, but the sessions were disrupted by rumours of displacement, prompting relocation of consultations to the project sites to allow residents and stakeholders to engage effectively.
He told the court that community members, youth leaders, consultants and government officials participated in the forums, raising concerns on housing allocation, employment opportunities, infrastructure strain and traffic congestion along Langata Link Road.
Residents, he said, were assured that there would be no forced displacement and that allocation of housing units would be conducted transparently through the Boma Yangu platform.
The PS also dismissed claims that the project lacked environmental approval, stating that an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment report was submitted and later approved by the National Environment Management Authority, which issued an Environmental Impact Assessment licence in December 2025.
He explained that delays in obtaining the licence were caused by technical challenges in the authority’s online payment system and not government non-compliance.
Hinga further rejected allegations that the project sits on a road reserve or noise buffer zone, insisting that the land was lawfully allocated for affordable housing and designated for residential development in official planning documents.
He also addressed aviation and security concerns, saying consultations with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the project complies with aviation safety standards and does not interfere with flight paths serving Wilson Airport.
He warned that continued suspension of the project could lead to loss of public funds, contractor claims and delays in delivering affordable housing to low-income Kenyans, arguing that the petition undermines the government’s constitutional obligation to provide adequate housing.
The petition by Omtatah raises acquisition, environmental and privacy concerns among other issues.
The matter came up before a three-judge bench on Tuesday, where Omtatah told the court he was not ready to proceed with the hearing.
The Busia Senator said he needed more time to prepare his submissions and respond to new material introduced by Hinga.
“As late as today I was being served by the parties. I’m not ready to proceed. I need time to serve submissions. PS Hinga has introduced documents that require rebuttal,” Omtatah told the court, urging the bench to grant another hearing date to allow him to adequately argue the case.
In response, a three-judge bench directed Omtatah to file and serve his submissions within seven days, with the respondents also given similar timelines.
The court scheduled the matter for hearing on April 9, 2026, when parties are expected to present their arguments in the petition challenging the Southlands Affordable Housing Project.
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