President William Ruto has unveiled plans to create 200,000 direct jobs through the government’s Affordable Housing Programme.
The announcement was made during the 11th National and County Governments Coordinating Summit held at State House, Nairobi. Ruto emphasizes that this initiative not only addresses the critical issue of affordable housing but also promotes economic inclusivity across the nation.
The Affordable Housing Programme is poised to extend its impact beyond the immediate job creation as it is expected to facilitate thousands of additional positions within the building and construction supply chain. This ripple effect, Ruto says, highlights the initiative’s potential to generate millions of jobs as both ongoing and future projects progress.
Looking ahead, President Ruto’s vision for the program showcases an ambitious goal of expanding the workforce to 500,000 by 2027, reflecting a long-term commitment to alleviate Kenya’s housing deficit while boosting economic prospects. Currently, 124,000 housing units are under development, with plans to construct an additional 840,000 units over the next four years.
Gambia’s President Adama Barrow commended Kenya’s affordable housing initiative during his visit to the Mukuru Met Site Social Housing Project on Saturday. Accompanied by Kenyan officials, including Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, Barrow emphasized the project’s significance in meeting the needs of all societal segments.
“This is a very important project because if you are elected as President, you have entered into a contract,” he stated, expressing his admiration for the endeavor.
Barrow remarked that the Gambia interest to learn from Kenya’s approach and strengthen bilateral relations, particularly following his participation in the 61st Jamhuri Day celebrations. The Mukuru project includes five G +11 blocks, totaling 1,080 studio apartments designed for low-income families. Wahome explained that although the units may appear costly, they are offered at subsidized rates, with monthly payments ranging from Sh3,000 to Sh7,000 over 25 to 30 years.
She noted a significant demand for the housing, with 550,000 registrations for just 124,000 available units. The project, which aims to improve living conditions in informal settlements, is projected for completion within two months, alongside an additional initiative in Murang’a that will add 1,900 units across Kenya.
