Passaris Expresses Support for Housing Levy, Urges Government to Tackle Corruption

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris Expresses Support for Housing Levy, Urges Government to Tackle Corruption

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, a prominent member of the Kenyan opposition movement Azimio La Umoja, has voiced her support for the controversial 3 percent housing levy.

In an interview with KTN News, a local TV station, Passaris acknowledged that the housing levy project was initiated by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, emphasizing that progress often comes with sacrifices.

Passaris’s endorsement of the housing levy stands in contrast to the opposition leader Raila Odinga’s recent call for opposition Members of Parliament to vote against the Financial Bill 2023.

Her public support for the levy suggests a divergence of opinion within the opposition movement, raising questions about her potential alignment with the government.

During the interview, Passaris also addressed the pervasive issue of corruption in Kenya and urged the government to address it decisively.

She emphasized the importance of tackling corruption to ensure effective service delivery, particularly in the critical area of housing.

Passaris stressed that without robust anti-corruption measures, any amount collected through initiatives like the housing levy might not translate into meaningful improvements for the people.

“Let’s give the benefit of the doubt, and let’s pray that the government deals decisively with corruption. If the government does not deal with corruption, we are going to have a massive problem, no matter how much we collect, we will not deliver the services now. We really need better housing for our people,” she stated

Her statement underscores the growing concerns among Kenyan citizens regarding corruption and its impact on the country’s development.

Passaris’s stance on the housing levy and her call for action against corruption raise speculation about her potential inclination towards collaborating with the government.

While she remains a member of the opposition movement, her divergent views may indicate a willingness to work across party lines in pursuit of tangible results for the people of Nairobi.

The housing levy has been a contentious topic, with its introduction facing resistance from various quarters.

Critics argue that the levy places an additional burden on already financially strained citizens. Nevertheless, the project has been touted as a means to finance affordable housing initiatives, which are crucial for addressing the housing deficit in Kenya.