Ruto stated that the partnership would expand the scale of the housing agenda, which aims to provide safe and dignified shelter for millions of Kenyans.
“By joining hands with AKDN, we are not just building houses, we are creating jobs, stimulating industries, and opening opportunities for small enterprises,” Ruto said after a meeting with Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V at State House, Nairobi.
He is in the country on an official visit.
The collaboration is expected to leverage AKDN’s global expertise in community development and infrastructure, ensuring that housing projects are not only affordable but also sustainable and inclusive.
Ruto noted that the initiative aligns with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (Beta) by generating employment for thousands of youth and boosting local industries such as steel, cement, and fittings.
The Affordable Housing Programme is one of the government’s flagship projects, targeting 200,000 housing units annually.
With AKDN’s entry, the programme is expected to expand its reach and improve access to decent housing, particularly for low and middle-income families.
“This partnership is about more than homes; it is about dignity, equity, and opportunity,” Ruto said.
In his address, the Head of State also praised the network’s wide-ranging impact, describing it as “a trusted ally in Kenya’s journey of transformation since independence.”
AKDN has emerged as one of the country’s most enduring development partners, with a legacy spanning healthcare, education, environmental conservation, and economic growth.
The President noted that AKDN’s health facilities handle more than 900,000 patient visits annually, offering maternal and child services, lifesaving surgeries, and specialised care across three major hospitals and over 70 health centres nationwide
“This commitment not only saves lives but strengthens our healthcare workforce through world-class training,” Ruto said.
Education has been another area of strong impact.
Through the Foundation, nearly 1,000 public schools have received support, benefiting hundreds of thousands of pupils and teachers.
Initiatives such as Schools2030, co-hosted in Kenya this year, are reshaping education by promoting innovation and excellence in classrooms.
The network’s contributions extend to environmental conservation, where it has planted 1.5 million trees in Kenya over the past three years, much of it in the Mau Forest.
Globally, AKDN has planted over 100 million trees in Asia and Africa, bolstering climate action.
Beyond social services, AKDN investments in media, hospitality, and insurance have created jobs, driven innovation, and supported cultural heritage preservation.
“The Aga Khan Development Network’s service to humanity has long been a pillar of our national journey,” Ruto said, adding that the partnership aligns seamlessly with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
