Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto’s affordable housing program, describing it as a façade meant to benefit well-connected cronies. Speaking on Monday during the unveiling of the Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) new headquarters in Nairobi, Gachagua accused the government of using the project as a channel for awarding tenders to a select few, under the guise of job creation for Kenyan youth.
The affordable housing project, introduced in 2023 under Ruto’s administration, requires salaried Kenyans to contribute 1.5% of their pay, matched by employers. It has been marketed as a solution to the housing deficit and a job creation platform. However, Gachagua, who once praised the initiative during his tenure as deputy president, now alleges that the program has been hijacked by vested interests.
“We initially believed the President that the project was about job creation, but it’s just a business deal,” Gachagua claimed. He accused unnamed influential individuals of controlling companies supplying construction materials like cement, metal, and roofing sheets through sub-contracts tied to the Housing Principal Secretary.
Gachagua also criticized the mandatory housing levy, labeling it as exploitative and vowing to abolish it if a new government takes office. “This levy is nothing more than a means to fund construction so certain people can profit from selling building materials,” he added.
During Mashujaa Day celebrations in 2023, President Ruto had lauded the program, emphasizing its collaboration with the Jua Kali sector and the allocation of Ksh.4.4 billion for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). However, Gachagua dismissed these claims as political rhetoric, stating that the project serves private interests rather than the public good.
Since his impeachment last October, Gachagua has been forging new alliances to chart his political future. On Monday, he joined forces with opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa, vowing to ensure that Ruto serves only one term as president. “We will walk this journey together to liberate this country,” Gachagua declared.
Over the weekend, Gachagua visited Martha Karua, NARC Kenya leader and Raila Odinga’s former running mate, at her home in Kirinyaga County. He has also hosted several political leaders at his Nyeri County residence. His consultative meetings signal an intent to build a formidable coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
As tensions mount, Gachagua’s sharp criticism of the affordable housing program underscores the growing political rifts within Kenya’s leadership.
