President William Ruto paused for a solemn moment of prayer on Tuesday after commissioning the Mukuru Affordable Housing Project in Nairobi.
Ruto prayed for the occupants of the new homes and for the continued success of the ambitious initiative.
Standing before a crowd of residents, government officials, and construction workers, Ruto stated that he believes in God and it is through Him that the project has become a success.
“Si nyinyi mnamuamini Mungu? Hii ni uwezo ya binadamu kweli? Si ni Mungu?” he asked amid cheers.
“Si mnajua mimi namuamini Mungu? Sasa nitawaombea na niombee makao yenu mapya.Mko tayari tuombe? Sasa kila mutu ako na kofia aweke chini tuombe.”
In the three-minute prayer, the Head of State thanked God for the successful completion of the project.
He also prayed for wisdom, unity, and protection over the country, especially for families who would occupy the new homes.
“We want to thank you, Father, because today these people have a place to call home. You have lifted these citizens of our nation from the dust, from the dunghill of the slums that had no water and sanitation, today they own homes in this estate," he said.
“We pray for the families that will live here, that these homes will bring dignity, safety, and opportunity. We also pray for those still waiting, that God will open doors and make a way for every Kenyan to access decent shelter.”
The crowd, many of whom were residents of nearby informal settlements, joined in quietly, some holding hands, others bowing their heads.
During the ceremony, at least the keys for the newly completed 1,080 housing units were handed over to the beneficiaries.
The construction of the housing units began in October 2022, with completion targeted for March 2026.
Spanning 56 acres and comprising 13,248 housing units, the Mukuru project is a testament to the government’s commitment to providing dignified living spaces for all Kenyans.
The development features a mix of bedsitters (5,616 units across 26 blocks), one-bedrooms (3,024 units in 14 blocks) and two-bedrooms (4,608 units across 48 blocks).
These homes are designed to cater to various income levels, which are social housing for those earning Sh20,000 and below, affordable housing for those earning up to Sh149,000 and upper-middle-income units for higher earners.
Pricing is structured under a rent-to-own model where bedsitters go for Sh3,900 per month, one-bedroom (Sh4,000) and two-bedroom (Sh5,000).
Prices, however, exclude service charges, with water and electricity being billed separately based on usage.
The project is part of the government’s larger Affordable Housing Programme, which aims to construct over 200,000 housing units annually.
Later, Ruto addressed the residents, stating that the housing programme was not just a development agenda but a moral and economic imperative.
“We are not just building houses. We are restoring dignity and giving families a fresh start,” he said.
He added that when he launched the project two years ago, he was heavily criticised.
After the prayer, Ruto mingled with residents, listening to their stories and assuring them that allocation would be fair and transparent.
