- President Ruto reveals plan to set up 25,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots across Kenya by 2027.
- The initiative is tied to a broader digital economy push backed by fiber optic expansion.
- Government also plans to remove all slums from Kenya within 15 years.
- Housing projects are ongoing in Kibra and Mukuru Kwa Njenga to uplift informal settlements.
- Ruto says the Affordable Housing Project is meant to boost both shelter and youth jobs.
President William Ruto has unveiled a plan to connect more Kenyans to the internet by installing 25,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide. This rollout is expected to be completed by the year 2027.
The announcement was made during the Kenya-EU Business Forum on May 12, where Ruto said the aim is to support digital growth and make sure all regions in Kenya are connected.
“We are pushing forward with a major plan to expand internet access. Our goal is to lay down 100,000 kilometers of fiber cable and set up 25,000 Wi-Fi hotspots so that no one is left out of the digital economy,” Ruto said.
Erasing Slums Within 15 Years
Earlier, President Ruto had made another big promise—to clear all slums in Kenya within the next 15 years. This goal, he said, is part of a broader plan to offer better living conditions for millions of Kenyans.
While attending the President’s Award ceremony on October 17 last year, Ruto said the transformation was already starting, pointing to the new housing units being built in Kibra.
Kibra’s First 4,000 Housing Units Almost Done
According to the Head of State, the government is almost done putting up the first 4,000 houses in Kibra. He assured residents that the days of poor housing are slowly coming to an end.
“We are in the final stages of building 4,000 homes in Kibra. In 15 years, we will not have slums in Kenya. That’s our commitment,” he told the crowd.
Big Changes Coming to Mukuru Kwa Njenga
In the same breath, Ruto spoke about Mukuru Kwa Njenga, where 15,000 new homes are being constructed. The aim is to turn the area from an informal settlement into a proper estate where people live with dignity.
“We want to lift Mukuru from a slum into a decent estate. Every Kenyan deserves a good home and a better life,” Ruto said.
Kibera’s Future: From Slum to Modern Estate
Back in October 2023, Ruto had shared his long-term vision for Kibera, predicting that in ten years, it will no longer be known as a slum. Speaking in church, he said the government’s Affordable Housing Project is key to this transformation.
“This plan is not just about building homes; it’s also about creating jobs. That’s why we insisted on the housing fund—people will one day see its value,” he explained.
