Gambian leader praises Kenya's affordable housing programme

Gambian President Adama Barrow (left) and Lands CS Alice Wahome during a tour of Mukuru Met Site Social Affordable Housing project in Nairobi on December 14, 2024. [David Gichuru, Standard]

Gambia's President Adama Barrow has praised President William Ruto's affordable housing project, terming it an important development that caters to everyone in society.

Barrow made the remarks Saturday while touring the Mukuru Met Site Social Housing Project, accompanied by his delegation and Kenyan government officials, including Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome.

"I have enjoyed my stay, and I came here because of our interests. We have been impressed by what we have seen of this housing project," President Barrow stated.

"This is a very important project because if you are elected as the President, you have entered into a contract, and every voter has something in mind. This is a big project, and all segments of society are catered for," he added.

President Barrow said the tour allowed them to pick up some lessons, noting that Gambia, being an ambitious country, would borrow a leaf from President Ruto's housing projects.

He also thanked President Ruto for inviting him as one of the high-profile guests during the 61st Jamhuri Day celebrations on Thursday, adding that this was a perfect opportunity to collaborate, strengthen relations, and learn valuable lessons.

Barrow used the opportunity to appeal to African countries to unite and strengthen bilateral ties, irrespective of geographical locations.

The Mukuru development comprises five G +11 blocks of social housing units, each with 216 units, totalling 1,080 studio apartments.

Wahome said the government's focus is to cater to the Kenyan citizens living in informal settlements, where poor sanitation, compromised water supply, electricity, and security are common.

"When people see these houses, they imagine that they are expensive, but nobody is asking you to pay the actual value of the house. It is not the actual value, but a discounted subsidised amount," the CS said, adding, "You will pay over 25 to 30 years, and if you are not there for any reason, your family will continue paying."

Wahome said the Mukuru project includes small houses of about 20 square metres, which can accommodate single individuals. The cost of one-bedroom and other spacious units ranges from Sh3,000 to Sh7,000 a month.

She added that many Kenyans are reaching out to inquire about how to get the units, noting that there is already high demand.

"We have recored a registration of 550,000 Kenyans against 124,000 houses, which tells you that the demand is higher than the supply, but we will continue building more," Wahome stated.

Last week, Wahome said they launched another project of 1,900 units in Murang'a, saying the State is targeting to expand housing projects in all 47 counties.
The Mukuru project is expected to be completed in two months.