- President William Ruto has handed over keys to more than 4,500 homeowners in Nairobi’s Mukuru estate
- Following the completion of Phase Two of the Mukuru Affordable Housing Project, the project marks a significant step in the government’s informal settlement redevelopment agenda.
President William Ruto has officially handed over keys to more than 4,500 families in Nairobi’s Mukuru estate, following the completion of the second phase of the Mukuru Affordable Housing Project.
The handover ceremony marked a major milestone in the government’s Affordable Housing Programme, with beneficiaries moving from iron-sheet structures into newly constructed high-rise apartments fitted with basic services and shared facilities.
Speaking during the event, Ruto said the project was aimed at restoring dignity to families who have lived for decades without secure housing, proper sanitation, or reliable public services.
“This project is about dignity, stability, and giving our people a decent place to call home after years of neglect,” the President said.
The Mukuru project is a key pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which focuses on upgrading informal settlements through structured redevelopment rather than forced evictions.
Apart from housing, Phase Two includes critical social infrastructure such as a police station, fire station, and a hospital, aimed at improving security, emergency response, and access to healthcare.
Government officials said the approach reflects a shift towards integrated urban planning, where housing is developed alongside schools, health facilities, roads, and green spaces to support sustainable community growth.
Residents who received keys described the move as life-changing. Many had previously lived in single-room structures prone to flooding, fires, and poor sanitation.
A beneficiary who works as a casual labourer said owning a formal home had once seemed impossible.
“I never imagined I would own a house like this. My family will now live safely and with dignity,” he said.
The project has been implemented in phases. Phase One, completed in May, delivered 1,080 housing units. With the completion of Phase Two, the number of finished homes has risen significantly, easing congestion in one of Nairobi’s most overcrowded settlements.
During the visit, President Ruto also inspected ongoing rehabilitation works along the Nairobi River, which runs through Mukuru and neighbouring areas, including Mathare and Korogocho.
The clean-up programme focuses on waste management, sewerage upgrades, and restoring riparian land to reduce flooding. Officials said the river restoration is linked to the housing project as part of a broader urban renewal plan that includes road upgrades, pedestrian walkways, and public green spaces.
The government says more phases of the Mukuru project are planned as part of efforts to transform informal settlements into safe, livable urban communities.
