President William Ruto on Thursday showcased what he called the “realisation of a decades-long dream” as he handed over keys to new homeowners at Mukuru Estate in Nairobi. The event marked Phase II of the government’s Affordable Housing Programme, a flagship promise from his 2022 campaign.
“What has been a dream for decades is now a lived reality for thousands,” Ruto said, noting that work is ongoing across all 47 counties, with 240,000 units under construction. He highlighted the programme’s impact on youth employment, citing 480,000 jobs created through construction and related sectors.
During his campaign, Ruto pledged to transform housing into both a social safety net and a driver of economic growth, promising at least 250,000 affordable homes annually. The Mukuru handover, which included 5,000 units at Riara and 2,920 units at Muriguini, reflects his push to replace informal settlements with safe, dignified housing while keeping communities intact.
The President also inaugurated several public facilities built alongside the housing project, including a Level IV hospital, a fire station, a police station, a shopping mall, and new primary and pre-schools. “This is a journey towards making Kenya a first-world country,” Ruto said, commending young people for their “productive contribution” to the project.
Despite the fanfare, the programme has faced criticism over the housing levy, which opponents say burdens workers already struggling with the rising cost of living. Questions remain about whether the homes will truly be affordable for the poorest Kenyans, a key demographic Ruto targeted in his campaign.
