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President William Ruto has sparked discussion after stating that Kenya has successfully moved slum dwellers into government-built high-rise apartments while maintaining the same rent levels.
Speaking at the 13th Session of the UN World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan, Ruto said the government’s affordable housing programme is already improving living conditions for many Kenyans.
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He cited a conversation involving former Ugandan Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, whom he referred to as “Sister Sarah,” who questioned how people from informal settlements could afford life in multi-storey apartments.
“I heard my sister Sarah from my neighbouring country Uganda raise a fundamental question, wondering how someone from a slum can live in a skyscraper on the 11th floor,” Ruto said.
“Let me tell Sarah it is possible. We have done it in Kenya. The cost of a social housing unit on the 11th floor is the same as what people used to pay in slums. They used to pay $40, and now they still pay $40 on the 11th floor because we have put the right mechanisms in place,” he added.
The President said Kenya is currently constructing 273,000 housing units under the Affordable Housing Programme, with 8,000 already completed and handed over to owners.
“In the last three years, we are building 273,000 housing units. We have handed over 8,000 keys, 55,000 more will be delivered before the end of the year, and we have a pipeline of 700,000 units,” Ruto said.
He further noted that the programme is creating employment opportunities for thousands of young Kenyans, including workers in construction and related professions such as architects, electricians, masons, carpenters, and quantity surveyors.
Ruto also said the initiative is helping reduce the growth of informal settlements in Nairobi by replacing them with planned, modern housing developments.
He made the remarks during the global forum focused on sustainable urban development, where Kenya’s affordable housing model was highlighted as part of wider urban renewal efforts.
On the sidelines of the event, Ruto held bilateral talks with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, focusing on cooperation in affordable housing, renewable energy, oil and gas, trade, and infrastructure development.
