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Kenyan Firm Inks Sh20bn Deal for Mavoko Homes Project

The project involves construction of 5,360 housing units.

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Charles Hinga (left) with Ramji Varsani.
Charles Hinga (left) with Ramji Varsani during the signing of the deal in Nairobi on Dec 16, 2021. PHOTO | COURTESY

Epco Builders has signed a Sh20 billion deal with the government for construction of 5,360 houses in Mavoko, Machakos County, under the Mavoko Affordable Housing Programme.

In a departure from the norm, where such projects are given to the Chinese, Epco Builders has been hired to undertake the project that is expected to cost slightly over Sh20 billion.

The Mavoko Affordable Housing Programme is a partnership between Kenya and the UN Habitat aimed at providing affordable homes to low and middle-income earners.

Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said the project, which sits on a 55-acre parcel of land in Mavoko, will be completed in four years.

“The uniqueness of this project is that it is being undertaken by a local contractor, hence money for the project will circulate locally,” Mr Hinga said on Thursday.

The Mavoko housing project is expected to deliver 960 one-bedroom units, 2,400 two-bedroom units, 1,440 three-bedroom units, and 560 studio units.

The project will also include a community centre, kindergarten, primary school, commercial centre, fire station and a police station.

“Adjacent to this project is the just-concluded Mavoko Sustainable Development Housing where we have put up the largest police station in Machakos county and probably the lower Eastern region and will be commissioned soon,” he added.

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Epco Builders managing director Ramji Varsani exuded excitement on taking up the housing project, which is one of the biggest in Machakos County.

“It has been a long journey doing consultation on pricing, specification of the units, but finally the D-day is almost here,” Mr Varsani said.

Epco Builders, one of the largest construction companies in Kenya, has delivered about 10,000 housing units in various projects across the country.

The company has pledged to deploy modern building technologies to deliver good quality homes at an affordable price for the benefit of Kenyans.

Danson Kagai is a skilled architect with a degree from the University of Nairobi. He has a wealth of experience in covering mega projects in Kenya, and is passionate about the built environment.