Doanh Chau, a Vietnamese energy investor, says Kenya’s Housing Levy is economically unfair.
Vietnamese energy magnate Doanh Chau has raised sharp concerns over Kenya’s Housing Levy, warning that the plan risks worsening economic strain for Kenyan workers. Through a post shared on his LinkedIn account, Chau criticized the move by President Ruto’s government, calling it both regressive and flawed.
Workers Overburdened by Tax, Says Chau
According to Chau, taxing salaried employees to fund government housing projects does not make economic sense. He believes this approach puts an unfair load on ordinary citizens, especially when the system lacks transparency and accountability.
“Taxing the employed to fund state-led housing construction is not only economically regressive, it is structurally flawed,” Chau stated.
Poor Execution and Weak Institutions Risk Project Failure
He argued that without strong institutions and clear oversight, public housing programs often fail. Citing examples from other countries, Chau noted that such projects frequently result in low-quality homes, poor fund management, and the creation of isolated communities.
“We’ve seen this pattern across many countries, and Kenya risks repeating it,” he added.
Chau Proposes Private Sector Support Instead
Rather than taking charge of construction, Chau urged the Kenyan government to create an enabling environment for private developers. He highlighted the importance of improving infrastructure and simplifying building regulations to allow investors to take the lead.
“The government should not replace private development. It should invest in roads, water, and planning while making it easier for others to build,” he explained.
Public Projects Shouldn’t Be Used for Politics
Chau cautioned against using housing as a political strategy and encouraged leaders to focus on effective systems. He called for a long-term approach that benefits citizens through sustainable planning and proper execution.
“Let’s stop turning housing into a political tool and start building frameworks that actually work for the people,” he wrote.
Kenyan Leaders Accused of More Talk, Less Action
This is not the first time Chau has voiced criticism about Kenya’s leadership. In April, he openly accused the country’s top officials of failing to implement ideas, despite their impressive speeches.
“I met with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and President William Ruto. They spoke passionately, but execution is missing,” Chau said during an earlier post.
He also claimed that Kenya suffers not from a lack of resources or talent, but from a weak system that delays progress.
“Kenya’s real problem is not a lack of money or talent. It’s the absence of long-term vision and the dominance of short-term gain.
