President William Ruto has defended the continued deduction of the 1.5 per cent Affordable Housing Levy from workers’ salaries, saying it should be considered alongside the 10 per cent increase in minimum wages introduced this year.

Speaking in Eldoret on Saturday, August 29, Ruto argued that workers had not suffered a financial loss because their wages had already been increased before the housing levy deduction continued.

He questioned why workers should complain about the 1.5 per cent deduction when they had received a larger increase in their earnings.

Ruto also defended the Affordable Housing Programme against criticism from opposition leaders, who have continued to call for the housing levy to be scrapped.

The President said the programme was creating employment opportunities for thousands of Kenyans, including people who do not receive regular payslips.

He argued that ending the programme would affect the millions of young people earning a living through jobs linked to affordable housing projects.

The Affordable Housing Levy requires employees to contribute 1.5 per cent of their gross monthly salary, with employers contributing an additional 1.5 per cent. The deductions are collected by the Kenya Revenue Authority.

The levy has remained controversial, with critics arguing that it places an additional financial burden on salaried workers.

Ruto, however, maintained that the housing programme remains important because it provides affordable homes while creating jobs and supporting economic activity.

The President’s latest remarks are likely to reignite debate over the housing levy as the government continues with its affordable housing agenda.