Govt Nears Completion of 4,465 Affordable Housing Units in Kibera

The government is close to completing the 4,465-unit affordable housing project in Kibera, a major development aimed at improving the lives of residents living in informal settlements.

President William Ruto on Tuesday visited the Kibera Soweto East Zone B Affordable Housing Project to inspect the ongoing works. During the visit, he said the government remains fully committed to ensuring Kenyans have access to decent and affordable homes.

According to the President, the project is not only about putting up houses but also about giving people dignity, improving living standards, and creating opportunities for residents.

He said the government will continue pushing the housing agenda despite criticism from some quarters.

The KSh 7.4 billion project is now more than 80 per cent complete. Once finished, it will have a total of 4,465 housing units.

These include:

3,052 one-room units
1,100 two-room units
313 three-room units

The houses are meant to offer better and more dignified living conditions for families in Kibera.

Apart from the houses, the project will also include important facilities such as a primary school, kindergarten, health centre, commercial spaces, and recreational areas for residents.

To help deal with flooding, the government has also put in place drainage systems and culverts that will direct rainwater into the Ngong River.

Other infrastructure improvements include internal access roads, a paved road linking the estate to Joash Olum Primary School, water supply supported by two boreholes, a sewer line, and a solid waste management system.

The project has also created employment opportunities for residents. So far, more than 2,500 direct jobs have been created, especially through the use of locally made building materials such as doors, windows, and railings sourced from the jua kali sector.

At the same time, the government is planning to unlock more housing in Kibera by reviving the stalled Kenya Railways Corporation housing project, which is expected to add 900 more units.