Govt reveals date for affordable housing interns pay after payroll hitch

The Kenyan government has officially acknowledged a delay in the disbursement of stipends to thousands of youth engaged under the Affordable Housing Programme.

State officials attributed the failure to pay the 4,000 interns to a technical mix-up within the payroll system, which has left the recruits without their monthly dues for several weeks.

The administration, led by President Ruto, confirmed that steps are being taken to rectify the error and ensure the funds reach the workers' bank accounts.

This group of interns was recruited in 2025 to support the technical and administrative aspects of the ambitious housing scheme.

The program was designed as a central pillar of the current administration's strategy to revitalize the domestic economy by creating jobs in the construction sector.

Beyond employment, the initiative seeks to solve a chronic housing deficit that has left millions of Kenyans without decent shelter in urban centers.

Current data suggests the country faces a shortage of over two million units, a gap that the government intends to fill by delivering 200,000 houses annually.

The 4,000 interns currently in the field are distributed across various sites, where they gain hands-on experience in project management, engineering, and site supervision.

While the government has now disclosed when the payments will be made, the delay has caused significant anxiety among the young professionals, many of whom rely on the stipends for daily upkeep.

President Ruto has frequently defended the program, describing it as a primary engine for wealth creation and industrial growth.

By involving thousands of interns, the State hopes to build a skilled workforce capable of sustaining the high-speed construction required by the 200,000-unit yearly target.

Despite the current administrative hurdle, the Ministry of Lands and Public Works maintains that the project remains on track.

Officials stated that the payroll hitch was an isolated incident and that future payments would be processed with more consistency.

The interns are expected to play a critical role in supervising the various contractors and artisans currently active at sites across all 47 counties.

The government noted that the stipends serve not just as compensation, but as a commitment to the welfare of those building the nation's future.

With the payroll issues now being addressed, the focus shifts back to the physical progress of the housing units as the State attempts to meet its aggressive deadlines.