President William Ruto’s Affordable Housing Project (AHP) has catalyzed significant growth in Kenya’s construction sector, as revealed in the 2024 Economic Survey report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
The report, unveiled on Monday, May 20, highlights a remarkable surge in the number of residential houses constructed in 2023, attributed to the Affordable Housing Project’s impact. KNBS reported a substantial increase in residential buildings, with 3,521 units erected in 2023 compared to 1,390 units in 2022.
“The SDHUD completed 3,357 residential housing units in 2023. As a result, the value of completed residential housing units increased from Ksh1.761 billion in 2022 to Ksh11 billion in 2023,” stated the report.
President Ruto’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) has been instrumental in driving this growth, with the Affordable Housing Project playing a pivotal role in providing affordable housing solutions and reducing the prevalence of slums in the country.
Moreover, the project has not only boosted construction activities but also led to a rise in employment levels in both the public and private sectors. KNBS noted a 2.1% increase in public sector construction employment and a 1.8% rise in private sector employment in 2023.
President Ruto’s vision for the Affordable Housing Project extends beyond infrastructure development, aiming to create 500,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2027. Despite challenges and opposition, the government’s implementation of the Affordable Housing Act underscores its commitment to ensuring all Kenyans have access to dignified and affordable housing.