Urithi To Kick Off Own Construction Firm.

An artistic drawing of Urithi's Gem Housing Project in Juja.

Plans are at an advanced stage for Urithi Housing Cooperative Society Limited to start a construction in a bid to reduce the cost of housing for its members.

Chairman Samuel Maina has said this while briefing the press adding that hiring of contractors increased had inflated building costs.

“Before end of this year, Urithi shall have a fully functional multi-million construction company that will undertake all our projects to so as to check on wastage and reduce on cost. This will help us save up 40% on project costs which will enable us to offer low-cost housing. Through this initiative, we will also offer to construct houses for our members who had previously bought land but have not been able to erect their own homes," said Maina. 

Maina said the move was in line with their mission to ensure that their members benefitted from affordable and decent housing. He added that they were embracing modern technology in construction that was guaranteeing members of quality but affordable housing.

“Our experts are researching on new innovation in cheaper technologies to make housing construction even more affordable. We would like to sell our Gem concept houses at a price of less than a million,” said Maina. 

The first and second Gem Project in Juja, which traded for between Ksh. 1.5 million and 1.65 million, are now at 60% and 40% complete. They expect the houses to be ready for occupation by September and November for Gem 1 & 2 respectively. 

Maina who was flanked by Urithi C.E.O Kelvin Muthuri and Vice Chairman John Gachoka Chege urged members to prepare for the construction of their house in the next 1 year. Maina said in the next one month they would issue 1,300 title deeds to their members. 

C.E.O Kelvin Muthuri said that the construction of Gem Highway Thika, which kicked off in July this year, would be completed by April 2017.

The construction of the Ksh. 400 million Gem Juja Housing Project started in August with completion expected next year.

“Those who have been visiting our various housing projects in the last three months must have appreciated the accelerated efforts towards construction of the houses. We promise to double our resolve to fast track the process as we enter the third quarter of the year. For this to happen, members must faithfully play their part by paying in good time," said Muthuri.