President William Ruto on Tuesday handed over keys to over 1,000 new homeowners of the New Mukuru Estate in Nairobi’s Industrial Area, which was built under the Affordable Housing Programme.
Handing over the modern 1,080 Lot 1-Phase 1 units, the President termed the event “the most consequential day” of his political career.
“Today, we are giving you keys, not to open a door, not to open a house, but to a home, and to dignity,” he said at the handover ceremony.
He said the project is a fulfilment of the government’s long desire to provide decent housing to all citizens, especially those at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
The New Mukuru Housing Estate is on a 41.6-acre parcel of land and consists of 88 apartment blocks rising to 11 floors, set to deliver 13,248 units.
They comprise 5,616 bedsitters for low-income earners who will pay KSh3,800 monthly mortgage for a 30 term under a Tenant Purchase Agreement.
It will also consist of 3,024 one-bedroom units and 4,608 two-bedroom units under the affordable housing category.
The New Mukuru Housing Estate is the largest single-site public housing project in Kenya. Overall, infrastructure completion stands at 75 per cent.
“In September, we will be back here to hand over another 5,000 units and a similar number in January 2026,” President Ruto said.
Once complete, the project will feature various social amenities such as schools, hospitals, ICT hubs, and a park.
Overall, there are more than 150,000 such units under construction in 200 sites across the country, employing over 250,000 youth.
President Ruto pointed out that providing decent housing to Kenyans is not only a moral obligation but also a constitutional imperative, which he will fulfil.
“The Constitution commands us as leaders to provide our fellow citizens with decent housing,” he said.
The Affordable Housing Programme is underpinned by the Housing Levy, which aims to open up home financing for ordinary Kenyans through the Tenant Purchase Agreement.
Employees in the public and private sectors are deducted 1.5 per cent of their gross salary, while employers match this with an equivalent contribution.
As of April 2025, more than KSh111 billion has been collected under the levy since 2023.
Mr Stephen Odhiambo, a double beneficiary as a home owner and supplier of construction materials at the Mukuru project, expressed his gratitude to President Ruto.
“I thank the President for fighting for Jua Kali artisans to be awarded contracts to supply items and materials for the Affordable Housing Programme,” he said.
Mr Odhiambo said he was awarded a tender to supply 120 windows and 80 steel doors for the Mukuru project. In turn, he has employed 17 young people.
“We have been tested, and we have proven that we are up to the task. Our young people are now channelling their energies to productive activities rather than vice and crime,” he said.
So far, KSh11 billion has been ringfenced for Jua Kali and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises producing building materials.
President Ruto urged Kenyans to ignore critics and naysayers spreading falsehoods about the government’s transformative projects.
“Let us believe in our country, and in our capacity to transform our nation. Let us believe in Kenya and in the well-being of all our citizens,” he said.
Present at the function were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, MPs, MCAs, and other leaders.
