The government’s flagship Affordable Housing Programme has created over 320,000 jobs, President William Ruto announced on Wednesday August 6, 2025 at a Presidential Private Sector Roundtable in Nairobi.

Addressing a gathering of business leaders at the event, the President framed the initiative as a cornerstone of his administration’s economic strategy and a powerful engine for national development.

“The Affordable Housing Programme is a flagship initiative that is transforming lives and reshaping our urban landscape,” President Ruto stated, as per a copy of the official remarks. “It has already created over 320,000 jobs across the building and construction value chain.”

The President’s remarks, delivered at the high-profile roundtable focused on investments, trade, and industry, emphasized the government’s commitment to job creation as a core component of its housing policy.

The figure of 320,000 jobs represents a significant milestone in the program, which has seen various job creation statistics cited over the past year, from 140,000 in October 2024 to 200,000 in December of the same year.

The government’s official spokesperson had recently put the number at over 244,000 in March, with a significant portion of those jobs going to youth from TVET institutions. The new figure of 320,000 jobs indicates a substantial acceleration in the program’s impact.

While the government continues to highlight the positive job numbers, the claims have also drawn scrutiny.

Reports from various news outlets have pointed to a disconnect between the official job creation figures and data from the national economic survey, which at one point showed a decline in construction sector employment.

However, President Ruto has consistently defended the program’s employment generation, calling on more private firms and professional bodies to get involved to further scale up the workforce.

Today’s announcement also served to acknowledge the vital role of private-sector partners. “I salute the private sector for its indispensable and facilitative role in delivering public goods and services,” President Ruto said.

The partnership with businesses and the integration of local artisans, known as the “Jua Kali” sector, are central to the program’s model for job creation and local economic empowerment.

The President’s speech reiterated the government’s long-term goal of scaling the workforce in the housing sector to 600,000, underscoring the Affordable Housing Programme’s dual objective of addressing the housing deficit while providing sustainable employment for thousands of Kenyans.