Ruto hits back at Sifuna over affordable housing remarks

President William Ruto has criticised Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna over comments he made about the government's Affordable Housing Programme, saying the remarks undermined efforts to provide decent homes for Kenyans.

Speaking at State House on Thursday during a meeting with more than 5,000 artisans and mechanics from Nairobi County, Ruto defended the housing programme and accused some of his political opponents of using ridicule instead of offering alternative policies.

The President was responding to remarks made by Sifuna during a live interview on Mulembe FM, a Luhya-language radio station, where the senator jokingly questioned the suitability of high-rise affordable housing for some communities.

“They have built 12-storey affordable housing units in Funyula. We Luhyas can't live in a place where our chickens can't. Tell me, boss, how will your chicken get to the 12th floor?” Sifuna said.

Ruto dismissed the comments, saying they should not be used to discourage the government's housing agenda.

“There are people telling us that Kenyans should continue living in slums simply because a chicken cannot be taken to the 15th floor. Do these people really have any sense?” Ruto said.

He maintained that the Affordable Housing Programme is designed to address Kenya's housing shortage while creating employment opportunities and stimulating economic growth.

The Head of State also criticised what he described as politically driven attacks against his administration, arguing that some leaders relied on populist statements instead of presenting practical solutions.

“These are the people who want to compete with me. When I told you they are brainless you thought I was being unfair to them. We will continue with all these projects to better the lives of Kenyans,” Ruto said.

The exchange is the latest in a series of public disagreements between the President and opposition leaders over the Affordable Housing Programme, one of the Kenya Kwanza administration's flagship projects.

While the government says the initiative will help bridge the country's housing deficit and create jobs, critics have continued to question its implementation, cost and priorities.