NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 15 – President William Ruto has handed over 176 keys to new home owners at the Machakos Affordable Housing Phase 1 following the successful completion of the project in Machakos County.
The President said the housing programme is making home ownership for low-income earners a reality, moving them from paying rent to owning homes.
He said the houses have been built using local resources and have created hundreds of thousands of jobs for Kenyan youth.
Across the country, the government is building 230,000 units, close to 4,000 of which have been completed, creating more than 330,000 jobs.
“To the new home owners, congratulations. I am a very proud person that through the efforts of the Government of Kenya, under my leadership, there are Kenyans who today are home owners,” he said.
He went on: “It is our responsibility to make sure that millions join you as home owners in the Republic of Kenya.”
Speaking during the handover ceremony in Machakos town on Friday, President Ruto said the government is keen on eradicating slums and informal settlements in the country.
“That is our mission; that is our commitment; that is our plan and vision and we intend to deliver on it,” he said.
He also issued certificates of qualification to workers in the Machakos Town Affordable Housing Project under the government’s Recognition of Prior Learning initiative, noting that many had started as casual workers and are now qualified professionals.
He also launched the construction of 570-unit Phase 2 of the Machakos Town Affordable Housing Project.
Earlier during a development tour of various parts of the county, the President launched the construction of the 13km Kangundo-Kivaani road, spanning Mwala and Kangundo constituencies.
He also launched the construction of the 22km Kivandini-Miseleni road in Mwala Constituency, a KSh1.7 billion project that will enhance connectivity, ease movement and stimulate trade and investment in the region.
The President inspected the Mutituni Modern Market in Machakos Town Constituency, a KSh52 million facility that will accommodate 200 traders.
He announced that the government is building 15 markets in Machakos County, fulfilling the commitment to provide mama mboga and other small scale traders with a dignified and secure working environment.
In response to the high demand for trading space, the President approved a request by traders to expand the Mutituni market to accommodate 600 traders and increase opportunities for local enterprise.
The President also said the government is investing KSh25.5 billion to build more than 30,000 affordable housing units, 15 markets and students’ hostels.
“We want to make sure that Machakos County is not left behind in the development going on in Kenya,” he said.
He also announced that KSh1.4 billion has been allocated for the Machakos County Last Mile Electricity Project to connect more than 10,000 households to power.
At the same time, President Ruto cautioned Kenyans against leaders spreading divisive narratives to advance their political agenda.
He pointed out that these leaders lacked any agenda for the country.
“They have no agenda and all they preach is ‘one term’ and ‘must go’. This is not enough. They must tell Kenyans what they will do for them,” he said.
President Ruto said leaders will be elected based on their track record rather than empty rhetoric, pointing out that it was unfortunate that the opposition was opposed to government programmes that are transforming the lives of Kenyans.
He cited the Affordable Housing Programme, fresh produce markets, student hostels and health programmes.
The President reiterated that Kenya is not a shareholding country but an inclusive one with a government that serves all Kenyans equally.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki urged Members of Parliament to support the establishment of the Infrastructure Fund once it is brought to Parliament.
He said the fund will help the country speed up the development of key infrastructure projects, including roads, energy and water.
The Deputy President said the government is committed to serving all Kenyans equally to foster national unity.
“Our country needs unity and the way to ensure unity is not through words but action in equal distribution of development,” he said.
Machakos Town MP Caleb Mule said the Affordable Housing Programme is creating jobs for youth in the region, with at least 520 young people working at the Machakos Affordable Housing Programme.
Mwala MP Vincent Musyoko called on the people of lower Eastern Counties to be wary of leaders who only want to use them to advance their political interests without a development agenda for the region.
He noted that those claiming to be their friends had previously frustrated the region’s efforts to secure development on the basis of shareholding politics.
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said the counties of Machakos, Makueni and Kitui will no longer be held hostage by those who benefit from the politics of opposition at the expense of residents.
He described it as a political poverty strategy designed to keep citizens poor so that a leader can present himself as their saviour.
“We reject this plan. We have been deceived for far too long. We will no longer be used,” he said.
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