Kericho town: Construction of the Majengo Talai Affordable Housing Project in Kericho Town has crossed the 62 percent mark, with the Sh778.2 million development entering a critical phase as work shifts from major structural construction to plastering, floor finishes, installation of doors and windows, plumbing, and electrical works.
According to Kenya News Agency, the latest site assessment puts the weighted actual progress at 62.12 percent, while the Clerk of Works, Jobson Birundu, notes that overall physical progress is about 63 percent. In an interview, Birundu mentioned that the contractor is targeting completion by the end of September, with additional labor, materials, working hours, and machinery being deployed to maintain the construction pace.
The progress represents a significant advancement from the 33 percent recorded in August 2025 and 40.01 percent in October 2025. The project is transitioning from structural works to finishing and installation of essential services. The development comprises 324 housing units in three blocks, with various stages of completion in walling, plastering, and installation of windows and doors.
A spot check by KNA found workers engaging in masonry, steel fixing, carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, and finishing works, while an excavator was used to move sand and other materials within the site. Supporting facilities, including a nearly complete kindergarten and community center, are advancing alongside the main development.
The project’s first-fix plumbing and drainage works in the residential blocks have reached 80 percent, with electrical first-fix works also at 80 percent. This indicates that the project has moved beyond erecting structures to installing systems required to make the apartments functional.
The development has been a source of substantial local employment. Birundu highlights that the workforce ranges between 150 and 350 people, with more than 80 percent drawn from the local community. The project has also provided skills development opportunities for workers like Nahashon Lubeme and Alex Omonde Kahora, who have gained expertise in masonry and carpentry, respectively, while earning an income.
Additionally, women such as Sylvia Chepkemoi have benefited from technical opportunities, acquiring skills in steel fabrication and welding. The surrounding local economy has seen growth with hotels, food outlets, and small enterprises thriving due to the steady flow of workers and visitors associated with the project.
Birundu emphasizes that the economic impact will persist after construction when the 324 units are occupied, creating a permanent market for businesses in the surrounding area. Despite challenges such as heavy rainfall and additional works, efforts have been made to recover lost time and ensure timely completion.
The Talai project is part of the Government’s Affordable Housing Programme, aimed at increasing access to decent and affordable homes while creating employment and business opportunities. For Kericho, the Talai development signifies a substantial transformation in housing stock, employment, and local business growth.
With progress at about 63 percent and completion targeted for September, the project is moving towards transforming the structures into homes. The Talai project has provided employment, skills, and potential economic growth for Kericho Town, promising a new residential community with ongoing economic activity long after construction concludes.
