One of Kenya’s main goals is to provide affordable housing to the many people who live in deplorable conditions.
However according to Siddharth Chatterjee who is the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Kenya, 3D printed houses could be the answer to the East African Nation’s housing shortage.
Siddharth Chatterjee while speaking at a policy breakfast meeting which was organized by the Business Advocacy Fund and Strathmore Business School, stated that the 3D technology is quick and affordable.
Mr. Siddharth said, “A basic 3D printed house will cost about $4000 (404,000 Kenyan Shillings) and it takes 24 hours to complete. When the houses are built on a large scale, the cost could come down to $1000 (101,000 Kenyan Shillings)”.
The United Nations’ top official in Kenya, also made it known that he has had talks with Mr. James Macharia who is the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Housing and Urban Development concerning the issue.
Siddharth noted that even with the numerous challenges the nation faces like like mismanagement of public funds as well as corruption, Kenya is still on track with regards to development.
“Kenya is on the right path. None of the development paths have been easy whether in Asia or Europe,” he said.
Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee also praised the move by the Kenyan government to provide universal health care, stating that “Millions of Kenyans are pushed into poverty due to out of pocket healthcare funding.”
Siddharth Chatterjee stressed the need to invest in preventive measures such as vaccines and public education on healthy lifestyles.
The United Nations supports Kenya’s ambitions in the Big Four agenda and its Vision 2030.
The United Nations’ agencies in Kenya alongside the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, have set aside $1.9 billion (190 Billion Kenyan Shillings), for the implementation of the economic, social, and political development programs in Kenya.
