Keep politics out of Mukuru housing project, leaders urged

A call has been made to politicians and citizens to avoid politicising the affordable housing project located in Mukuru, Nairobi.

The project was launched by President William Ruto two weeks ago as part of the agenda to improve housing in informal settlements.

Nairobi South B Ward Member of County Assembly Waithera Chege has emphasised the need for more residents to register for the program.

"This project belongs to the people. Let’s leave politics aside. Let’s register and ensure everyone gets an equal opportunity to benefit. The goal is to transform our neighbourhoods and uplift the living standards of our people," she stated.

The MCA made the appeal during a Thanksgiving service organised by some residents of Mariguini who had received the new houses on Sunday.

The residents described the project as a significant step toward improving their lives, emphasising that development projects should be allowed to progress without political interference.

"We thank the government for caring about us. This is a major step toward getting out of slum life. We urge politicians not to bring politics into development initiatives meant for the ordinary citizen," one resident said.

While handing over the modern 1,080 Lot 1-Phase 1 units, President William Ruto 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. It is set to deliver 13,248 housing units.

They comprise 5,616 bedsitters for low-income earners who will pay a Sh3,800 monthly mortgage for 30 years 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.