President William Ruto has revealed that he gave a Ksh140 million cheque to carpenters located at Ngong Road.
Speaking during the Diaspora Investment Conference at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre on Wednesday, December 13, Ruto stated that the government had been involving them in projects.
According to President Ruto, the individuals had come together and formed companies and were making millions from their work because of the projects.
He detailed that the contractors had been engaged in the housing projects and were making doors, windows, and other items for the construction of affordable housing across the country.
“Recently I was giving a cheque of Ksh140 million to those fellows on Ngong Road making furniture. These days they are entrepreneurs.
“They are making for us doors, windows, and they are now a company for the housing plan,” stated the head of state.
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Ruto Hits Out at Raila Over Affordable Hosing
At the same time, he stated that Azimio leader Raila Odinga was rallying against the affordable housing project, yet he had the same plan in his manifesto.
According to Ruto, the Azimio coalition also included the levy in their manifesto but did not have the courage to allow the project to be implemented.
“All of us in the two main coalitions, we had identified housing as a very important program. This beautiful project was in the manifesto of Kenya Kwanza, the same housing project complete with percentages of the levy was also in the Azimio manifesto.
“But when it came to implementation, that is where the devil leads. Nobody wanted it implemented. We know what we must do but we cannot gather the courage to do it,’ he stated.
Also, he highlighted countries that had successfully implemented a similar housing project noting that they were doing exceptionally well because they took a chance.
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“This time round, I am implementing it and I am so determined because we must do it. Korea did it, Singapore did it, Malaysia did it, and that is why they are ahead of us,” added Ruto.
Future Plans for the Housing Project
On the other hand, the head of state noted that the program will bring transformation into the country, giving a 10-year timeline for the world to see the difference.
Additionally, he noted that the move will also create millions of jobs for Kenyans, explaining that in five years 500,000 Kenyans will get employment opportunities from the program.
“To get Kenyans to own a home meaning we have social and affordable housing, it is our opportunity to grow jobs. We have 120,000 Kenyans working in out housing program.
“In five years, we will have half a million Kenyans working and the whole country will be a bustling construction site,” he stated.
Also, he noted that the project would reverse land fragmentation and increase food production.
“We need to reverse land fragmentation and housing is the tool we have to save the land we have for production of food.
“Finally, we will stimulate the who eco system of manufacturing of construction products,” he added.
