Ruto: State to transform Kibera slums to a real estate

President William Ruto has exuded confidence in the ongoing construction of affordable housing.

Ruto on Monday inspected the construction of the more than 4,054- unit Kibra Soweto East Affordable Housing Project.

The construction for Phase II of the project, comprising 15,000 units, is set to commence before the end of the year, while Phase III, for 20,000 units, will start in January next year.

Speaking while at one of the construction sites, Ruto said affordable housing will transform Kenya.

He announced that the government is committed to transforming Kibera from "a slum to a real estate".

"We are determined to eliminate slums in our cities and towns to ensure Kenyans live in decent and dignified homes with guaranteed social amenities. This will be achieved through this programme," he said.

Ruto said the completion of the first phase of the housing project will enable the residents of Kibera to achieve the dream of decent homes in a clean environment.

Nationally, he noted that more than 110,000 units were under construction across the country.

He pointed out that the housing programme is the path towards a better quality of life for Kenyans.

The President said the program will provide tens of thousands of families with an opportunity to own a home and jobs for young people.

"It's through affordable housing that we can transform Kenya," Ruto said.

In Nairobi County, the President said the government will build 40,000 units along the riparian reserves to accommodate families that were moved during the recent El Nino rains.

This he said will help accommodate people who were moved by authorities as a result of flooding.

The floods hit the country in April and May and over 267 lives were lost.

According to the Interior Ministry, over 56,367 households were displaced as a result of the floods affecting approximately 281,835 people.

A total of 1,967 schools were affected by the floods while 62 health facilities in 11 counties were also affected.

The government would later order voluntary and mandatory evacuations.

It also directed removal structures along the Nairobi Rivers riparian spaces as well as other parts of the country.

Present at the event were Lands and Housing Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson and Langata MP Phelix Odiwuor (Jalan'go).