Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua has launched a Ksh.50 million roofing program seeking to have all grass-thatched houses in Machakos county replaced with iron sheets. This is a copy of what Rarienda MP Hon Atiende Amollo has been doing in his constituency.
According to Governor Mutua, within the next four months there will be no existing house in Machakos County with a grass-thatched roof.
“It is a shame that in this day and era, we still have homes with structures that were eliminated from Europe 400 years ago. I have today started a program that will provide free mabati’s (iron sheets) to roof all identified houses that are grass thatched,” said Dr. Mutua.
54-year-old Nzioka Mailu and a father of three was the first beneficiary of the multi-million project in Kithuki village.
Speaking during the launch of the program in Muusini village in Mwala constituency, Mutua said grass-thatched houses were a sign of poverty and poor living.
“Some of the thatched roofs are homes for snakes and rats .This is a risk to those who sleep in them,” said Mutua.
He said grass-thatched houses cannot be used to harvest water.
The governor urged Machakos residents to stop using mud for house construction and instead use in-expensive bricks.
