Nairobi is set for a massive development uplift as the government rolls out key projects to improve the lives of the city residents.
President William Ruto and his deputy Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday affirmed the government’s unshaken focus on raising the living standards of the city dwellers as promised during the campaigns.
On the second day of the development tour of the capital city, the President inspected ongoing major projects in Mathare and Ruaraka targeting socioeconomic improvement of the two constituencies.
The President said the government is funding over 100,000 social housing units that will benefit most of the residents living in slums and other informal settlements across the city.
“We target over 100,000 affordable houses in Nairobi and we need 50,000 who will be employed for this project. We need masons, plumbers, electricians, carpenters and others. I’m pleading with our youth to be part of this program,” President Ruto said.
In furtherance of the housing agenda, the Head of State broke the ground for the Mathare Lot 1 Social Housing Project which will see construction of 5000 units upon completion.
“We aim to provide decent housing for the residents of Nairobi as we get rid of slums by ensuring dignified places for them to live,” the President added.
Kindiki said the focus is on the development of every part of the country, including Nairobi, adding that the focus is on job creation for the youth, equipping them with skills and improving the lives of the residents.
“We want to ensure development is prioritised instead of politics in every part of the country. As we develop other parts of the country, Nairobi will not be left behind as promised by our President,” Kindiki said.
Additionally 40,000 youths from the city have been picked up for the Nairobi Rivers Regeneration project that targets rehabilitation of city rivers, construction of new sewer lines, new housing units and markets aimed at raising the stature of the green city under the sun.
“We are keen on elevating the stature of Nairobi and our youths are playing a big role in this. We will work with them and improve their pay as per their request,” Ruto said.
The Head of State also addressed the residents who turned up in huge numbers in various stops across the city constituencies.
The President also ordered hastening of the electricity connection programmes in Mathare, saying more houses deserve power.
During the development visit, the President also officially opened the 800-bed dormitory at St Teresa Girls Secondary School, and launched the construction of classrooms at Mabatini Primary School and Mathari Mixed Secondary School.
Further, he inspected the ongoing construction of Mathare Modern Gateway Market and Utalii Police Post in Ruaraka constituency.
At the same time, the President said every constituency in Nairobi will have a Sub County administration office to ensure services are closer to the people.
“Every constituency in Nairobi must have a subcounty office so we have a provincial administration to look after the security, issuance of IDs, birth certificates and other government services,” said the President in Ruaraka.
During the day-long tour, the President and the DP assured Kenyans that the country will move forward as one after agreeing to work together with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
“We don’t want politics of division and tribalism and we have stopped the politics of hate starting here in Nairobi. We are one united Kenya focusing on taking our country forward through improving agriculture to feed the nation, provision of better houses, creating jobs for the youth,” President Ruto said.
Kindiki said the time for divisive politics and discrimination is over.
“For our nation to develop we must be one nation, we must stop discrimination of all kinds—party affiliation, tribal, religion—and be one nation,” DP said.
