President William Ruto has projected that 68 per cent of Kenyans will be urban dwellers by 2050.
Ruto, who was speaking at the SMEs, Cooperatives, and Revenue Expo at Embu University, said the urbanisation of Kenya is currently at 4.4 per cent compared to some places across the world which are at 3.7 per cent.
"If our strategy works, Kenyans will either be living in towns or in affordable housing. 68 per cent of all our people will be urban dwellers," he said.
The head of state added that his administration is working toward eradication of slums by building Affordable houses across the country and letting Kenyans live in dignity.
"According to statistics, Kenya is one of the fastest urbanising countries in the world, Kenyans should live in decent places."
He also urged employed Kenyans to stop misleading other jobless Kenyans when it comes to the proposed Housing Fund.
Ruto said the employed people are opposing the Housing Fund because they have an alternative.
"Wewe kwanza hauna mshahara, yule akona mshahara anakuambia upinge mambo ya Housing Fund, wewe unapinga umsaidie yeye asilipe na wewe ukose nafasi ya mtoto wako kupata kazi... Wacheni utapeli," he said.
(You don't have a monthly income, yet employed Kenyans who have salaries are asking you to join them in opposing the Housing Fund. If you do, you will miss an opportunity for your child to get employment).
Ruto introduced the Housing levy in the Finance Bill 2023, saying it will be mandatory for every Kenyan to contribute towards the fund.
He said salaried Kenyans will be deducted 3 per cent of their salary which will be matched by employers but not exceed Sh5,000 of their salaries to the Housing Fund to support the affordable housing project.
