Kenya’s President William Ruto on 18 December handed over keys to more than 4,500 families at the New Mukuru estate in Nairobi, turning a former informal settlement into a modern housing development complete with essential services.
The ceremony, attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Housing Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, saw families receive homes just before Christmas. Many beneficiaries expressed gratitude on social media with hashtags such as #AsanteRuto, #ChristmasNewHome, #BomaYangu and #MukuruKwaSingapore.
Ruto described the handover as a step towards his vision of transforming Kenya into a modern, planned urban nation. “The keys we are giving you today are not just keys to open a door of a house, but to open a decent home for you and your children,” he said. “Welcome to dignity; welcome to a new life.”
From informal settlement to modern estate
Mukuru is one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements, home to hundreds of thousands of people living in tin-shack homes prone to flooding and fires. More than half of Nairobi’s urban population lives in such settlements, which occupy only a small fraction of the city’s land.
The Affordable Housing Programme, relaunched under the current administration, aims to build hundreds of thousands of units annually. At New Mukuru, the government has delivered thousands of studio apartments in high-rise blocks equipped with electricity, hot showers, piped gas and internet connectivity.
Each unit costs KSh 640,000, with monthly repayments of KSh 3,900. The estate also includes a police station, fire station, Level IV hospital, school and shopping facilities.
Ruto said 14,000 units are planned for the Mukuru site alone, while more than 240,000 are under construction nationwide. He praised young workers on the project for their contribution to nation-building.
The Singapore vision takes shape
The president has often compared his housing goals to Singapore’s transformation through high-density, serviced urban development. “We started this project less than two years ago,” he said. “Just imagine what will happen in 10 or 20 years to come.”
Supporters see the programme as a practical response to Kenya’s severe housing shortage. The projects have created thousands of jobs and are expected to stimulate local economies in areas previously considered informal.
Social media reactions highlighted the human impact. Residents shared videos of children exploring new rooms and parents celebrating access to running water and secure homes. “From informal settlements to secure high-rise living, this is dignity restored,” one user posted on X.
Political friction amid celebration
Despite the positive reception, the programme has faced criticism. Ruto sharply criticised politicians he accused of encouraging residents to resist relocation. “You cannot incite Kenyans to continue living in slums while you live in a palace in Karen. That is evil,” he said.
Some opponents question the affordability of the units for the lowest-income earners and the impact of the housing levy used to fund the initiative. Others argue the focus on urban areas overlooks rural housing needs.
Delays in some beneficiaries moving in have also raised concerns about implementation. Critics on social media described the project as falling short on broader economic challenges such as unemployment.
A long-term urban renewal project
The New Mukuru handover builds on an earlier phase completed in May and signals continued government commitment to the Affordable Housing Programme. Officials insist the initiative will gradually reduce the dominance of informal settlements in Kenyan cities.
For the families now settling into their new homes, the change is immediate and profound. Many described the timing as an early Christmas gift, with secure housing offering protection from the hazards they faced before.
As towers replace former shacks along Nairobi’s industrial corridor, the project stands as a visible marker of ambition. Whether it becomes a nationwide model will depend on sustained delivery, inclusive financing and addressing remaining criticisms.
