- The government has already rolled out the affordable housing programme’s 200 per constituency project as promised by President Ruto.
- President Ruto announced that the construction of 46,792 units is already underway
Image: PCS
At least 40,000 housing units are ready for groundbreaking as the Kenya Kwanza government's affordable housing projects take shape.
President William Ruto noted that housing is a revolutionary agenda that will have an extensive impact on the economy.
"The construction of 46,792 units is already underway, and another 40,000 units are ready to commence construction," he said during Mashujaa celebrations.
At scale, the affordable housing programme, the Head of State said jobs will be created for our young people.
"The construction of one housing unit creates between 3 and 5 direct jobs and 5 to 8 indirect jobs. More jobs will be created with the formalization of the Jua kali clusters that will provide products such as doors, windows and hinges for programs," Ruto said.
He also explained that the project will expand the manufacturing of construction products and materials and enhance economic activity across many sectors.
"Architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, masons, electricians, plumbers, transporters, steel factory workers, cement factory workers and hardware merchants will be engaged in this transformative construction housing enterprise to construct 200,000 housing units annually," Ruto added.
In the 2023-24 financial year, the government allocated Sh35.2 billion towards the Housing program.
The government has also mobilised resources to support the construction of affordable housing units and social housing units.
As part of the housing budget, Sh3.2 billion to go towards the affordable housing programme.
The overall target by the President is to construct 200,000 affordable housing units annually which will create between 600,000 and one million jobs each year.
Ruto's initiated housing projects
In Nairobi, the Starehe Affordable housing project will produce 6,000 units and create 14,000 jobs while the contract was awarded to Gulf Gap Africa for Sh21 billion.
The groundbreaking of Shauri Moyo A project that was presided over by President Ruto and awarded to Epco contractor, will also have 6,000 units and create 10,000 jobs directly and indirectly.
The Mukuru Kwa Reuben project will see the setup of 15,000 units
The project being undertaken by M/s. Vaghjiyani Enterprises has a unique background as the 55 acres of land had been grabbed by cartels before being recovered by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
The land belonged to the Meteorological Department but was grabbed 24 years ago.
Upon recovery, the government turned it into useful public land, where 15,000 affordable housing units will be set up.
Still in Nairobi, we have the Sh7.4 billion Kibra, Soweto B Social Housing Project under Intex firm.
The project is aimed at producing 4055 units for slum dwellers from Kibra.
In Machakos county, 5, 300 housing units are also being constructed under the Mavoko Housing Project.
The Sh20 billion project which is a partnership between the national government, the county government, and other private sectors will create 15, 000 job opportunities.
In Kiambu County, we have the Thika and Ruiru affordable housing programmes.
Thika Project will set up 975 units which will be constructed by Kings Limited while creating at least 2,000 jobs.
Jua Kali artisans signed a contract with the government worth Sh125 million for the construction of affordable houses in Thika town.
The Ruiru project is set to deliver 1,050 housing units and create 4, 000 jobs, therefore alleviating the housing deficit and boosting the local economy.
The land measures approximately 2.47 hectares (6.10 acres).
The site previously had government pool houses, with 37 households who were relocated to pave the way for the redevelopment.
Other housing projects have been initiated in the Nyanza region.
200 per constituency project
The government has already rolled out the affordable housing programme’s 200 per constituency project as promised by President Ruto.
In June, the Head of State announced that 178 out of 290 subcounties had been given the green light to construct the units.
Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga noted that all 290 constituencies have land available for the affordable housing programme.
In Vihiga County, at least 220 housing units will be constructed on the two-acre piece of land owned by the national government at Milimani estate where an estimated 3, 000 jobs are set to be created as a result.
The tender for the construction of the project has been awarded to Padaa Enterprises for Sh536 million.
In Bahati, Nakuru County, the 220 units will be constructed on a 10-acre piece of land at an estimated cost of Sh505 million.
The project will include the improvement of roads to the site as well as power connection and expansion of the sewer and water infrastructure from the already existing network.
A similar project was launched in Lurambi, Kakamega county to set up 220 units. Some 3,500 youth will be engaged directly and indirectly in the project.
The developer, Top Choice Surveillance Limited engaged Kakamega Engineering and Fabricators Association and KEFINCO Carpenters Association with over 100 skilled artisans for a partnership in the project.
The developer is expected to ring-fence an estimated Sh26m for the over 1,200 doors and 1,200 windows required for the project.
Ruto also presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for 110 housing units in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County.