President William Samoei Ruto has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the 955-unit Starehe Affordable Housing Project in Nyahururu Town, saying the development will provide decent and affordable homes to residents of Laikipia West Constituency.
In a statement shared after touring the site, President Ruto said the project forms part of the government’s wider Affordable Housing Programme aimed at addressing Kenya’s housing deficit while creating jobs for thousands of young people.
“Pleased with the steady progress of the 955-unit Starehe Affordable Housing Project in Nyahururu Town, Laikipia West Constituency, which will provide decent housing to the residents,” said Ruto.
The President also addressed residents of the town, where he updated them on the status of key government programmes both nationally and within Laikipia County.
The Affordable Housing Programme remains one of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s flagship projects, with the government targeting the construction of at least 250,000 housing units annually across the country. The programme was introduced as part of efforts to reduce the housing shortage, lower the cost of living and improve access to decent housing for low- and middle-income earners.
The initiative is financed partly through the controversial housing levy, which requires salaried employees and employers to contribute 1.5 per cent of gross monthly pay. The levy sparked legal and political battles, with critics questioning its legality, transparency and whether contributors would directly benefit from the houses being built.
Despite the criticism, the government has defended the programme, arguing that it is creating employment opportunities for thousands of Kenyans in construction, manufacturing and supply chains. President Ruto has repeatedly maintained that the housing projects are stimulating the economy while transforming urban centres.
The Nyahururu project is among several housing developments currently underway in counties including Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu and Mombasa under the national housing plan.
