President Ruto urges MPs to support Affordable Housing Bill

President William Ruto has appealed to Members of Parliament to support the Affordable Housing Bill and secure jobs for the youth.

The President asked the legislators to take a bipartisan approach during debate and enactment of the proposed law in the National Assembly on Wednesday.

He pointed out that the affordable housing programme will provide job opportunities for more than 300,000 young people by the end of this year.

Already, the President explained, 130,000 youth are working at various construction sites across the country.

“This is not about political parties; it is not about those who have versus those who don't. This is about job opportunities for millions of Kenyans who work in construction and related value chains,” he said.

He was speaking at the construction launch of the 220-unit Makenji Affordable Housing Project in Kandara, Murang’a County on Thursday. The project will create more than 1,600 jobs and expand opportunities for the residents.

President Ruto reiterated the government’s commitment to address unemployment in the country.

He cited the ongoing establishment of ICT hubs in each of Kenya's 1,450 wards that will create hundreds of thousands of digital jobs, export of Kenyan labour to countries far and near, and the development of Special Economic Zones as other programmes that will expand opportunities for Kenyans.

He faulted those opposed to the export of labour programme, saying they should know that it will provide thousands of skilled young people opportunities to use their skills, knowledge and experience to earn a living.

“It would be irresponsible for us to spend Ksh.600 billion a year on the education of our youth without a plan on how to create jobs for them,” he said.

The Head of State said the government and Murang'a County are investing Ksh.500 million in the development of the Thika Special Economic Zone that will specialise in the medical and pharmaceutical industry.

President Ruto also said local production of medicines and other medical equipment will reduce Kenya's imports on the products.

“Every year, we import pharmaceuticals worth Ksh.110 billion. We want to produce these products here in Kenya for domestic, the East African Community and, indeed, Africa,” he said.

President Ruto said the government is keen on enhancing access to water for domestic use, livestock and irrigation that will substantially increase the country's agricultural productivity.

Additionally, he said the government is supporting farmers through the subsidised fertiliser programme and investing in the mechanisation of agriculture.

The goal, he explained, is to increase food production to achieve the nation’s food security goals, thus reducing the cost of food.

“The best way of eradicating hunger in the country is to support our farmers to produce more food,” he said.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua exuded confidence that the country’s economic recovery was on track, citing the appreciation of the Kenyan shilling against the United States dollar.

He noted that President Ruto is keeping his promises to the people despite tough economic times.

Others who were at the functions in Murang'a County included Cabinet Secretaries Alice Wahome (Lands and Housing) and Zachary Njeru (Water), Governor Irungu Kang’ata,  MPs and MCAs.