President William Ruto: Affordable Housing and Blue Economy Programs Propel National Growth

President William Ruto reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing Kenya’s pressing housing deficit through the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) while simultaneously laying out plans to boost the country’s blue economy. The celebration underscored the government’s ambitions to foster sustainable economic growth by tackling two key challenges: affordable housing and the untapped potential of Kenya’s coastal resources.

The Affordable Housing Programme: On Track to Meet Targets

President Ruto emphasized that his government is on course to deliver at least 200,000 affordable housing units annually, a key pledge made during his election campaign. He stated that the housing program is not only about providing shelter but also aims to create sustainable communities and generate employment opportunities for Kenya’s youth and women.

By the end of the year, 124,000 housing units across 75 sites in 37 counties will be completed, including homes for military personnel, police officers, correctional services staff, and student accommodation. “These projects include homes for military, police, and correctional services personnel, student accommodation, and private-sector developments,” Ruto remarked, showcasing the breadth of the housing initiative’s reach.

This massive undertaking addresses the national housing deficit while stimulating economic activity through job creation. According to Ruto, the Affordable Housing Programme has already created over 160,000 jobs along the housing value chain. Notably, while the construction industry remains predominantly male, the president highlighted that his administration is working to increase female participation to 30%, up from the current 20%.

The initiative is also spurring activity in Kenya’s informal sector, popularly known as the “juakali” sector, by providing opportunities for local artisans to contribute to the project. The government has allocated Ksh 4.4 billion to pay Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) supplying essential construction materials such as windows, doors, and cabinet fittings sourced from local juakali artisans.

One of the flagship projects under the AHP is the Mukuru Meteorological Site in Nairobi, where 1,080 new studio units are expected to be handed over by the end of this year. These units, available through the Boma Yangu portal, will have mortgages priced at an affordable Ksh 3,200 per month. The Boma Yangu portal has seen 547,000 registered users, with 52,000 users having saved a total of Ksh 2.3 billion, signaling a strong uptake of the government’s affordable housing units.

Kwale County, where the Mashujaa Day celebrations took place, is also benefiting from the program. The Matuga Affordable Housing Project is currently under construction and has already created 200 jobs, with more employment opportunities expected to be generated through the Diani White House Project, another housing project under development in the county. Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani expressed her gratitude to the president, noting that 50 acres of land had been donated for the program. “The entire programme has brought employment opportunities for our people, and the juakali sector is thriving,” said Achani.

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Boosting the Blue Economy: A Strategic Investment

Beyond housing, President Ruto also underscored his administration’s focus on harnessing the potential of Kenya’s blue economy, with coastal resources playing a pivotal role. He revealed the government’s strategy to significantly increase the blue economy’s contribution to the national GDP, aiming to grow it from the current Ksh 20 billion to Ksh 80 billion within five years.

This ambitious goal is set to be achieved through a Ksh 2.7 billion investment in the construction of fish landing sites and markets across the country, equipped with cold chain storage facilities to ensure the preservation of catch. The coast region will receive Ksh 1.2 billion of this allocation, benefiting from the strategic location and access to the Indian Ocean.

Additionally, the government is injecting Ksh 1.7 billion in grants to support 612 fishing cooperatives and groups along the coast, further empowering local fishing communities. President Ruto emphasized that boosting the fishing industry will not only help in achieving food security but will also support economic growth in coastal regions. A key part of this plan is the near-completion of the Shimoni Port, Kenya’s first dedicated fish port, which is 82% complete. Once operational, the port will increase Kenya’s fish handling capacity by 50,000 metric tons annually, driving value addition for both domestic consumption and exports.

Ruto announced that the government has lined up an additional Ksh 2.4 billion to enhance aquaculture and mariculture in the country. Out of this allocation, the coast region will receive Ksh 1.4 billion for the development of the National Mariculture Resource and Training Centre (NAMARET) in Shimoni, Kwale County. NAMARET is expected to serve as a breeding and multiplication center for marine fish seed, facilitate research and innovation in mariculture, and offer training to fish farmers and students. The center is seen as a vital catalyst for the growth of profitable and productive mariculture in the country.

Furthering efforts to transition the country’s fishing sector to more productive methods, the president announced plans to distribute 123 fishing boats to local fishing communities. These boats will enable fisherfolk to venture into deeper waters, including Kenya’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In addition, the government will acquire deep-sea fishing vessels to enhance offshore fishing capabilities at a cost of Ksh 600 million. These measures are expected to improve the livelihoods of coastal communities and contribute to food security.

Jobs and Economic Empowerment: Central to Ruto’s Agenda

Job creation, particularly for youth and women, remains a central theme in President Ruto’s administration. Both the Affordable Housing Programme and the blue economy initiatives are designed to generate significant employment opportunities. With over 160,000 jobs created so far through the housing program, the administration is looking to further enhance employment prospects across various sectors.

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Ruto acknowledged the role of MSMEs and the informal sector in driving the success of these programs. The signing of a Ksh 720 million contract between the Soweto Highrise Fabricators and Woodworkers Association in Kibera and the government exemplifies how local businesses are being integrated into large-scale projects. The association will supply an assortment of items for the affordable housing program, further embedding the informal sector into the national development agenda.

Similarly, the blue economy initiatives are expected to provide new economic opportunities for fishing communities, MSMEs, and cooperatives. The Ksh 1.7 billion in grants for fishing cooperatives will help improve fish processing and marketing, enabling the transition from subsistence fishing to commercial, sustainable practices.

A Long-Term Vision for Sustainable Growth

President Ruto’s Mashujaa Day address painted a picture of a government focused on long-term, sustainable development through strategic investments in housing and the blue economy. By addressing the country’s housing deficit and tapping into the potential of coastal resources, the government aims to create a more equitable and prosperous society.

With 124,000 housing units nearing completion and substantial investments in the blue economy, the administration’s efforts are expected to yield significant economic benefits. For the coastal region, these initiatives will not only provide housing and employment but will also spur regional development through enhanced infrastructure, increased fish production, and the growth of aquaculture.

As Kenya looks to the future, President Ruto’s dual focus on affordable housing and the blue economy offers a blueprint for tackling key challenges while ensuring sustainable economic growth for all.