Kenya to stop importing lifts for affordable housing, Ruto says in shift to local firms

Kenya to stop importing lifts for affordable housing, Ruto says in shift to local firms

President William Ruto revealed that seven manufacturers had been secured to produce lifts in Kenya, making the equipment used at the Pioneer Estate among the last to be imported under the planned change.

The government will no longer import lifts for the Affordable Housing Programme, President William Ruto has announced, as the administration moves to strengthen local manufacturing.

Speaking during the handover of 2,157 homes at the Pioneer Affordable Housing Project in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, on Sunday, Ruto revealed that seven manufacturers had been secured to produce lifts in Kenya, making the equipment used at the Pioneer Estate among the last to be imported under the planned change.

According to the President, imported lifts account for only 3 per cent of the items used in the project, adding that the shift to local manufacturing would create opportunities for local industries while reducing reliance on imported building equipment.

"From now, local manufacturers will make the lifts in Kenya," Ruto said.

The Sh5.37 billion housing project comprises 15 apartment blocks, 104 shops and 2,157 residential units spread across social housing, affordable housing and market-rate categories.

The estate also features a kindergarten, playgrounds, green open spaces, a clubhouse, a swimming pool, two basketball courts, a football pitch and other facilities intended to support residents' daily needs.

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Ruto said the development demonstrated the government's commitment to making homeownership possible for ordinary Kenyans, particularly young people and low-income earners.

"We are selling a lifestyle. The estate comes with Wi-Fi to enable the occupants to work from home. The swimming pool, gym, basketball courts and football pitch will help residents keep fit and healthy," he said.

The President dismissed criticism of the Affordable Housing Programme, saying the completed development was proof that the government could deliver on its promise to expand access to decent homes.

"For those who thought this was a prank, for the many people who thought this would never happen, this is the evidence. I assure you no one is going to stop the affordable housing project," Ruto said.

The estate has 552 social housing units, 1,065 affordable homes ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments, and 540 market-rate units.

Among the beneficiaries are Abigail Chepkemoi and Albert Ipolo, students at Eldoret National Polytechnic. Chepkemoi, 21, worked at the construction site, saved her earnings and made a deposit for her home. She said she is now preparing to move out of her hostel into her own house.

“I see people who are now homeowners. They would otherwise not have had an opportunity to own a house today if it were not for the Affordable Housing Programme,” Ruto said.

The project has also created business opportunities for local enterprises, including Jua Kali artisans, food vendors and construction material suppliers.

According to the President, more than 50 Jua Kali associations in Eldoret supplied 2,272 steel doors and 6,486 windows for the development.

“We insisted that no door or window is going to be imported. We empowered Jua Kali to do it,” he said.

The project used more than 394,000 bags of cement and 4,500 tonnes of steel, with 97 per cent of the construction materials made locally. The government channelled Sh264 million to 84 Jua Kali associations in Eldoret, while artisans across the North Rift have received opportunities worth Sh3.8 billion.

At the height of construction, more than 1,000 people were working at the Pioneer site. The President said the wider housing programme would employ more than two million Kenyans by the end of 2027.

The development is part of a wider housing drive in Uasin Gishu County, where 12,429 affordable homes worth Sh29.9 billion are planned or under construction. Together with student hostels, modern markets and a primary school, government investment in the county stands at Sh41.8 billion.

Other projects include Eldoret Railway City, which is expected to deliver 2,231 homes, Kidiwa Phase 2 with 1,800 units and the Lumumba Housing Project, which will have 2,000 homes.

Ruto said the government was also committed to protecting contributions to the Affordable Housing Fund, which finances housing developments, modern markets and student hostels.

“I give you my commitment that not a single shilling will be lost. I must be held to account, and I will hold every official who works under me to account,” he said.

He thanked employees and employers who contribute 1.5 per cent of salaries monthly towards the programme.

“You are true heroes of our society,” he said.

The President said the government aimed to complete 45,000 affordable housing units by December 2027, as it continues linking housing construction with job creation, local manufacturing and business growth.