Remarks · 20 May 2025
It is on days like today that we are powerfully reminded why we wake up early, work late, make bold choices, and take difficult decisions. It is on days like these that the long hours and heavy responsibilities make sense.
When our hard work translates into dignity for the people, and when our sacrifices bear fruit in the lives of ordinary Kenyans, we know, without doubt, that the effort is worth it.
Today marks a turning point not only for the residents of Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Kwa Reuben, and Marigu-ini, but also for all Kenyans who have been left behind for far too long. I have no doubt that many years from now, when we look back on this day and this project, it will stand out as a moment when lives were transformed, dignity restored, and hope renewed.
We are gathered here to hand over 1,080 completed homes. But the significance of this moment goes far beyond numbers. These keys do not just open doors; these are keys that will unlock opportunity, safety, pride, equity, and intergenerational upliftment.
When we began this journey, I spoke of the catalytic role housing plays in economic recovery and inclusion, especially in a post-pandemic world. Today, New Mukuru, like many projects across the country, is living proof that investing in housing stimulates local economies. Money is spent where homes are built, jobs are created, and lives are changed. The Mama Mboga feeding fundis at lunchtime and the Jua Kali artisans crafting doors and windows are all part of this vibrant ecosystem.
Once complete, the New Mukuru Housing Project will deliver 13,248 units. So far, it has injected KSh11 billion directly into construction and neighbourhood development. For every shilling invested, an additional KSh2.50 is generated through supporting businesses, meaning nearly KSh28 billion has already been infused into the economy through this single initiative.
This housing ecosystem, taking shape before our eyes, has renewed interest in the broader Affordable Housing Programme, revealing the powerful economic linkages across the housing value chain. As we build homes, we also build industries. Each unit we build increases demand for cement, steel, tiles, paint, and other materials, thereby invigorating manufacturing, expanding factory output, and generating orders for local suppliers.
Our deliberate policy to give priority to Jua Kali artisans and MSMEs has yielded a visible impact. From welding to cabinetry and from landscaping to finishing, ordinary Kenyans are earning, learning, and upscaling. Their work in crafting steel doors, window grills, cabinets, and paving blocks, with Kenyan hands, is transforming not only this site, but also our economy and our country.
Once the new homeowners move into these new homes, a ripple effect will follow. The economy of this area will flourish with corner shops, daycares, schools, clinics, and digital start-ups. Young people will set up gyms, salons, studios, and delivery services. Powered by over 13,000 households, the economic heartbeat of this neighbourhood will be unstoppable.
Through housing, we are quietly revolutionising financial inclusion. Banks and SACCOs are now designing home loans and rent-to-own products for people who were once deemed uncreditworthy. The Hustler is now bankable, and a culture of saving is taking root. The bottom of the pyramid is becoming the bedrock of Kenya’s banking future.
We are proud of the Affordable Housing Programme’s momentum, particularly through our collaboration with the private sector. Today, 154 contractors are working with us to deliver homes and support infrastructure, proving that publicprivate partnerships can deliver both impact and efficiency.
County governments equally remain indispensable allies. From land identification to approvals and co-investment in infrastructure, county and national teams have worked together tirelessly and seamlessly. Mukuru is a shining example of what bold and coordinated government action can achieve.
The Mukuru Meteorological project is the largest single-site housing intervention in Kenya’s history. Its scale, its integrated design, and its focus on transforming informal settlements make it a landmark in public housing delivery. Residents will not only access housing, but a full ecosystem of social infrastructure.
This site alone includes 3.2km of roads, 14,321 square metres of parking, 9km of walkways and 3.9km of sewer lines. It also has a fire station, a health centre, day care facilities, a strip mall, 32 transformer houses, waste rooms, pump rooms, and more. All these are underpinned by robust mechanical and electrical systems.
Water infrastructure here is equally transformative. The project includes a 5-million-litre underground tank, high-level storage tanks holding 210,000 litres, booster pumps, and a comprehensive fire water system, delivering services that both dignify and protect.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is not a vertical slum. There’s a misguided tendency to equate density with deprivation. A slum is not defined by population size, but by the absence of services, safety, and dignity. Mukuru offers all three and much more. It is proof that low income does not mean low quality.
We also recognise that homes alone are not enough. People must be able to earn, trade, and thrive. That is why we are building modern, structured markets alongside housing, economic hubs where farmers, traders, and Mama Mboga can do business with dignity.
We are currently developing 26 modern markets and upgrading 201 existing ones. These facilities include cold storage, washrooms, and ICT centres, empowering small enterprises and youth-led businesses to grow across Kenya.
To every Kenyan wondering if this programme is for you, the answer is a resounding YES. Whether you are a boda boda rider, nurse, teacher, Mama Mboga, or software developer, there is a home here for you. Our “One ID, One Home” policy ensures every Kenyan has a fair chance to own a home under this programme.
The Boma Yangu platform is our gateway to equitable homeownership. It is transparent, inclusive, and easy to use. Over 4,000 homes are already up for purchase. Whether you earn less than KSh20,000 or over KSh150,000, there’s a pathway for you.
I urge every Kenyan to register today at www.bomayangu.go.ke or dial *832#. Let us democratise homeownership and make this dream a reality for all.
To the People of Mukuru: This is your day. These homes are your new beginning. Keep them clean, keep them safe, and fill them with love, hope, and ambition. Let these homes be the foundation of generational progress.
I wish to thank the contractors, architects, engineers, artisans, fundis, and all the hands, seen and unseen, who made today possible. I thank the State Department of Housing and Urban Development and all our partners. Above all, I thank the people: the new homeowners, the future homeowners, and the workers who believed in this vision.
It is now my singular honour and joy to officially hand over the first 1,080 completed housing units at Mukuru, and to reaffirm the government’s unwavering commitment to delivering hundreds of thousands more homes across the country. I thank you. ###