- He said 5,000 housing units were already under construction in the area with a similar number set to be launched progressively.
- The Kenya Kwanza administration, he said, aims at ensuring all government project benefits all Kenyans equally.
President William Ruto has revealed his plan of transforming the Kibera slum into an estate.
Ruto said through the ongoing affordable housing programme, he is focused on ensuring the livelihoods of the dwellers in the informal settlement are changed.
“God willing, by the end of my term, I want to change Kibera to be a real estate, not a slum,” Ruto said.
He spoke during an association of pension trustees and administrators of Kenya stakeholders' meeting in Nairobi on Friday.
The dream, he said, will only succeed through the cooperation of such willing stakeholders.
He said 5,000 housing units were already under construction in the area with a similar number set to be launched progressively.
The Kenya Kwanza administration, he said, aims at ensuring all government project benefits all Kenyans equally.
“Tunataka nchi iko na infrastructure ambayo itafaidi wakenya wote, kama ni mabarabara inafaidi watu wote, kama ni manyuma pia ifaidi kila mtu,” he said.
He said that currently, 6.5 million Kenyans were living in such informal settlements.
During the forum, Ruto also courted the stakeholders as he sought for funding to help him realise such government projects mainly on housing and roads.
“From the roads board, I have about Sh40 billion every year ringfenced, on its account and I can dedicate to pay you if you agree to give this money to be able to finish these roads,” he said.
The idea, he said, will make him steer off external borrowing.
The President reiterated his commitment to have Sh300 billion saved in the current financial year for development.
Ruto said he has already instructed the Treasury CS to liaise with all ministries to cut down on the expenses he termed as unnecessary.
“I know it is not easy but we are going to do it. We are going to slow down on foreign trips and delay some new projects,” he said.
“I will not be the President who will continue taking the country to debt.”