The good, the bad and the ugly of Ruto's affordable housing projects

Affordable housing project in Milimani estate, Kakamega County, on February 20, 2025. [Benard Lusigi, Standard] President William Ruto's affordable housing projects are yielding mixed results across the country, with many Kenyans holding faint hopes of ever owning a home under the scheme. In some areas, the towering structures are reshaping the skylines of towns, while in others, the initiatives have yet to commence. Some projects are behind schedule, as government officials grapple with the challenges of delivering on the ambitious plan. While some residents are still recovering from relocation and the loss of property to make way for these developments, others say the projects have provided much-needed employment through the creation of manual jobs at construction sites. A spot check by The Standard across various counties reveals that some projects are progressing well, with a number nearing completion. However, several Kenyans have expressed pessimism about their prospects of owning a house under the scheme, suggesting that the government is using it as a calculated effort to reward the wealthy and politicians. At the Lumumba Affordable Housing site in Kisumu, two large cranes were busy lifting building materials as workers toiled on the site where the government is building 2,348 units. In stark contrast, another site in Sironga, Nyamira, remains idle, more than a year after President Ruto launched the project. In the South Rift, the projects are behind schedule, and residents are concerned about whether they will be completed on time. The Affordable Housing project in Majengo Tallai, on the outskirts of Kericho Town, is one such project lagging behind schedule. Kericho County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo expressed his disappointment, noting that while the national government had paid contractors, work remains behind the set completion date of January 15, 2026. "The national government has met its obligations to the contractors, but the pace of work is slower than expected. We need to speed things up," he said. Phase I of the Majengo Tallai project, which is expected to deliver 324 housing units (comprising one-, two-, and three-bedroom units), is more than 50 per cent complete. Lawyer Ben Siele, who has applied for a unit in the Bomet Affordable Housing Project, shared his optimism about the investment. "I am paying Sh12,000 monthly for the house, which, when I rent it out, would earn me Sh35,000. I have done my calculations and am confident I will see a return on my investment," he said. In Bomet County, the government has commissioned the construction of a 220-unit project, comprising 60 studios, 20 one-bedroom apartments, 120 two-bedroom apartments, and 20 three-bedroom apartments. Jane Langat said most Kenyans dream of homeownership but lack the financial means to achieve it. "Most Kenyans cannot afford these homes," she said. Joshua Bett, from Chebirir on the outskirts of Bomet Town, expressed frustration at being unable to register for the housing projects due to difficulties accessing the registration portal. "Some of us want to own homes, but the registration process is problematic. The government should find an alternative way of registering applicants," Bett said. Colonial estates Peter Siele said many Kenyans are disillusioned by the misuse of public funds by government officials and have little faith in the projects, viewing them as another avenue for politicians to loot and dish out units to their cronies. In Nyandarua County, residents have voiced concerns over the process of acquiring the houses. "We are being charged for the housing levy, yet we do not know who will own these homes. We can see that the houses are almost complete, but who really knows what's happening in the Lands Ministry?" asked a civil servant who wished to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation. Muchiri Gakuru, who is overseeing the programme in the Central region, said the project will be completed within the next three months. "We want to assure residents that all is well," he said. At the Coast, anxiety is growing as colonial estates are demolished, displacing hundreds of families to make way for new housing units. At least 14 estates in Mombasa are earmarked for demolition as part of a national and county government partnership to build 30,000 new housing units. The estates affected in Mombasa include Buxton, Mzizima, Changamwe, Hobley Road, Khadija, Nyerere, Tom Mboya, Tudor, Kaa Chanjo, Miritini, Kizingo, and Green Fields. Hundreds of families have already been evicted or given notice to vacate. Estates owned by the National Housing Corporation (NHC) have been demolished in Changamwe. Of the 14 estates, only Buxton has been redeveloped under the affordable housing plan, with the Buxton Point Apartments valued at Sh6 billion. However, the redevelopment has been marred by controversy. All 522 former tenants of the Buxton estate remain displaced, despite the completion of the first phase with 586 units about two years ago. Mombasa County Director for Housing, Rodgers Wakhungu, said the government had identified 16 sites in the county to build 50,000 units. "We have set a target to build 50,000 affordable housing units in five years through public-private partnerships," he said. The latest project in the county is the Nyali Housing Development Project, which will deliver 1,976 housing units in the VOK area of Bombolulu, Nyali sub-county - one of the largest such projects in Mombasa. In Taita Taveta County, the project has yet to start, despite President Ruto's announcement last year that it would begin within a month. Interviews with locals reveal that sensitisation forums had not reached the grassroots, leaving many unaware of how the project will operate. Corruption loophole Grantoi Msula, chairman of Njama Mzango, an initiative to safeguard Taita traditions, said most residents were still in the dark about who would benefit from the housing scheme. "The government should clarify who will be the beneficiaries," he said. Maria Kea, a retired public servant, added that although money had been deducted from her salary, she was unsure how she would benefit. "I don't know how I will benefit from the project. The government should provide clear details about the scheme," Kea said. In Kilifi County, residents criticised the affordable housing financing model, claiming it is a loophole for corruption. "Introducing an extra tax to build houses for sale to the same taxpayers was a terrible idea. No wonder the affordable housing target dropped from 200,000 houses per year to less than 1,000. Even those behind the project cannot clearly articulate the programme's benefits," said teacher James Katana. Despite the uncertainty, Katana has registered for the scheme and has been paying monthly contributions. "In time, Kenyans will understand who the real beneficiaries and occupants of the housing scheme are. It won't be the ordinary Kenyans," he added. In Western and Nyanza regions, the first phase of projects across four counties is nearly complete, with residents scrambling for the units. In Migori County, the affordable housing project in Mabera Sub-County is 95 per cent complete, with only a few works remaining, according to Deputy County Commissioner Jack Mbiso. "I have assessed the project and confirmed it is 95 per cent complete," he said. In Kakamega County, the government is constructing 300 units in the first phase at Milimani estate on the outskirts of Kakamega town. The project is 80 per cent complete, with final touches underway. "We expect to complete the project in the next three months," said Hebron Kipkemoi, who is overseeing the Kakamega Affordable Housing Project. Kipkemoi added that 60 per cent of the houses had already been booked. Suleiman Sifuna, who has worked at the Kakamega site since 2023, said the project had provided a stable livelihood for him. "I have worked here for two years and am able to support my family. I get paid every Saturday, and my children are in school, thanks to this project," said Sifuna. In Vihiga County, the project in Central Maragoli Ward is progressing. Workers at the Vihiga Affordable Housing project praised the initiative, saying it had changed their lives. "I am an electrician and, after finishing my studies three years ago, I struggled to find stable work. But since this project started, I earn Sh1,200 per day, which is enough to cover my needs," said Stephen Adanga. [Report by Anne Atieno, Clinton Ambujo, Stanley Ongwae, Boniface Gikandi, Phares Mutembei, Nikko Tanui, James Munyeki, Kiprono Kurgat, Patrick Beja, Renson Mnyamwezi, Marion Kithi, Benard Lusigi, Brian Kisanji, Mary Imenza and Juliet Omelo]

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