In a significant milestone for Kenya’s affordable housing program, President William Ruto officially handed over 1,080 newly completed social housing units to beneficiaries at the New Mukuru Housing Estate in Nairobi.
The event, which he described as the “most consequential day” in his political career, underscores his administration’s commitment to transforming the country’s housing sector through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda(BETA).
Addressing a gathering of residents, government officials, and stakeholders during the handover ceremony, President Ruto emphasized that the keys symbolized far more than access to physical structures.
“These are not just keys to open doors or houses; these are keys to homes,” he stated, adding that the initiative aimed to restore dignity, improve livelihoods, and promote social equity for ordinary Kenyans, particularly those at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
The 1,080 units form part of the broader 13,248-unit New Mukuru Housing Estate, which is being touted as the largest real estate development in Kenya’s history.
The project is designed not only to alleviate the country’s urban housing deficit but also to provide integrated living conditions with enhanced sanitation, security, and social amenities.
According to President Ruto, the housing initiative is a cornerstone of his government’s long-term strategy to address urban sprawl and informal settlements by offering structured, safe, and affordable alternatives.
“Mukuru is just the beginning,” Ruto declared. “We have more than 200 similar projects underway across the country, currently employing over 200,000 young Kenyans.”
These developments, he noted, are part of a nationwide effort to spur job creation, stimulate the construction industry, and foster inclusive economic growth.
The newly inaugurated Phase 1 (Lot 01) of the New Mukuru Housing Estate comprises 5,616 bedsitters. Construction is already ongoing for additional phases: Lot 02 will feature 3,024 one-bedroom units, while Lot 03 will include 4,608 two-bedroom units.
The entire project is a public-private partnership designed to blend urban renewal with economic empowerment by involving local contractors and suppliers throughout the value chain.
President Ruto reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to implement bold reforms that address the challenges of urbanization and housing inequality. “We will continue making bold and difficult decisions that will change Kenya forever. This is Kenya’s Bottom-Up moment,” he said.
The affordable housing agenda remains one of the Ruto administration’s flagship programs, targeting the construction of at least 250,000 housing units annually.
It aims to close the housing gap, estimated at over two million units nationwide, and align Kenya with the UN Sustainable Development Goals on decent housing for all.
As Kenya moves toward this ambitious vision, the government’s focus is expected to remain on facilitating access to affordable mortgages, promoting investment in the construction sector, and ensuring equitable access to housing for low- and middle-income earners.
The New Mukuru Housing Estate stands as a testament to what can be achieved through strategic policy implementation and inclusive development planning.
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