President William Ruto handed over keys to more than 4,500 proud new beneficiaries of the Affordable Housing Programme at the New Mukuru in Nairobi on Thursday evening.
This is in addition to the 1,080 units he handed over earlier in May, marking a turning point in the government’s effort to give citizens dignified housing.
“The keys we are giving you today are not just keys to open a door of a house, but to open a decent home for you and your children,” he said during the handover ceremony.
He added: “I am proud this evening that what has been a dream for many Kenyans, and in the plans of this nation for over 40 years, is now a reality. Welcome to dignity; welcome to a new life.”
President Ruto was accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Lands and Housing Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa, Principal Secretaries, and other guests.
The President said the government is building 14,000 affordable housing units at the New Mukuru site.
Overall, he pointed out that there are over 240,000 affordable housing units under construction countrywide.
During the function, the President also handed over modern police and fire stations, a well-equipped Level IV hospital, as well as a school to benefit the residents of the estate.
The 16-storey units are equipped with modern amenities, including electricity, hot shower, Internet, and piped gas.
President Ruto commended young people working at the Mukuru site for displaying their knowledge, expertise, and resilience.
“Congratulations for building our nation,” he said.
At the same time, the President castigated political leaders for inciting residents living in informal settlements to resist moving to make way for similar projects.
“Be decent and humane. You cannot incite Kenyans to continue living in slums while you live a palace in Karen. That is evil,” he said.
The President vowed to soldier on with the affordable housing programme, saying Kenyans can now clearly see the programme’s benefits.
“We started this project less than two years ago. Just imagine what we will happen in 10 or 20 years to come,” he said.
