President William Ruto has said the Affordable Housing Programme is transforming Kenya’s construction sector at an unprecedented pace, citing increased local production, job creation, and investor confidence as proof of the initiative’s success.
Speaking during the launch of the Affordable Housing Internship Program, President Ruto noted that many local firms that once struggled to stay afloat are now scaling up operations, thanks to the consistent demand generated by the housing agenda.
“Before the programme, many of you were barely managing. Today, companies have expanded, and local material uptake is rising sharply. We’ve moved from building a few hundred houses to tens of thousands annually,” he said.
According to government figures, over 42,000 housing units are under construction nationwide, with more than 120 local suppliers directly benefiting. Cement production has risen by 14%, while local steel and tile manufacturers are reporting double-digit growth.
President Ruto likened Kenya’s transformation journey to that of Singapore, referencing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s remarks on the tough decisions the city-state had to make over 60 years to secure prosperity.
“Singapore’s transformation wasn’t easy. We too must go the extra mile, even when it’s unpopular,” he said.
Rejecting critics of the programme, the President defended his administration’s development agenda and urged Kenyans to remain focused and optimistic.
“Some people talk as if Kenya is the worst country in the world. Yet few nations have done what we’ve done in just two years. My commitment to this country is unshakable. No one can derail me,” he said.
The Affordable Housing Programme remains a key pillar of President Ruto’s bottom-up economic model, with the government targeting 200,000 units per year while using the programme as a launchpad for industrial growth and job creation.
