President William Ruto has handed over keys to 4,500 new homeowners at the New Boma Yangu Mukuru Housing Estate during a festive Christmas celebration on Thursday December 18, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the government’s affordable housing initiative.

The completed studio units, which form the second lot of housing in the Mukuru project, are now ready for occupation by beneficiaries drawn from Mariguini, Sepu, and Rueben slums.

This delivery demonstrates the government’s commitment to providing decent housing for all Kenyans while working toward the elimination of informal settlements across the country.

The new homeowners join 1,080 families who moved into the first lot of houses at the same estate in May this year, bringing the total number of households accommodated in the Mukuru project to nearly 6,000.

The Affordable Housing Programme is transforming lives by providing homes integrated with secure and thriving community spaces that promote dignified living.

During the event, President Ruto also officially opened the New Mukuru Level IV Hospital, which will provide easy access to healthcare services for residents of the growing community.

Additionally, he presided over the opening of the New Mukuru Police Station, which is equipped with a fire station to enhance safety and emergency response capabilities in the area.

The enumeration and allocation process for prospective homeowners has been systematic and transparent.

Beneficiaries undergo registration on the Boma Yangu Platform, activation and saving for their preferred housing unit, receipt of an offer letter, acceptance and signing of the offer, verification of statutory details, lawyer advisory sessions, signing of the Tenancy Purchase Agreement, and finally issuance of the house unit for occupancy.

The Affordable Housing Programme has become a major driver of employment creation across the country.

Since 2022, over 330,000 jobs have been generated through the initiative, with expectations that more than 1 million jobs will be created throughout the programme’s duration.

Youth participation has been particularly emphasized, with 5,300 graduate interns shortlisted for work in various projects and 70 rehabilitated youth integrated into the workforce.

The government has announced ambitious plans to scale up youth involvement, targeting 10,000 intern graduates in the Affordable Housing Programme by 2026.

The initiative also prioritizes inclusivity, with women constituting 21 percent of on-site labor and individuals with disabilities representing 1 percent of the workforce.

Small businesses and local artisans have been major beneficiaries of the programme.

The government has ring-fenced 11 billion shillings specifically for micro, small, and medium enterprises and Jua Kali artisans in affordable housing and market programs.

Local craftsmen provide various services including prefabricated steel doors, windows, balustrades, curtain rods, and landscaping.

A significant component of the programme is the Recognition of Prior Learning initiative, which has certified 1,000 artisans to date, with a mass rollout ongoing for over 2,000 artisans nationwide.

Through this programme, worker skills are assessed and certified at Grade I, Grade II, and Grade III levels, enabling certified artisans to earn more, access better jobs, and chart clear pathways for advancement in their trades.

The Mukuru estate goes beyond just housing, incorporating comprehensive amenities that create a self-sufficient community.

Principal Secretary for the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, Charles Hinga, handed over a fully equipped Early Childhood Development and Daycare Centre with capacity for 260 toddlers and the New Mukuru Primary School that can accommodate 800 pupils on December 4, 2025.

The estate also features a strip mall capable of hosting 5,000 people, providing spaces for local businesses such as cybercafes, eateries, coffee shops, and clothing stores.

These amenities are strategically designed to empower residents economically by allowing homeowners to live, work, and access essential services within the estate without needing to travel far.

The Affordable Housing Programme, branded as Boma Yangu, now has active construction sites, completed estates, and new projects breaking ground regularly across the country.

Projects are underway in 111 constituencies, transforming towns and supporting small businesses while addressing Kenya’s housing deficit.

The programme represents a flagship initiative of the Government of Kenya aimed at increasing access to decent, quality, and affordable homes for all citizens.

Implemented under the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, it seeks to reduce the housing deficit, stimulate job creation, and promote inclusive, sustainable urban growth in line with Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.