Ruto Defends Housing Agenda, Unveils 4,000 Internship Slots
Caption: President William Ruto at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi, for the World MSME Day. Photo: William Ruto (Facebook)
BY BARAKA SIMBA
President William Ruto has defended his administration’s Affordable Housing Programme, insisting it addresses a real crisis facing millions of Kenyans.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during the launch of the Affordable Housing Internship Programme, the President dismissed critics who downplay the housing agenda.
“I keep hearing people who say, ‘Who told you we need houses? Everybody has their own house!’ You may think everybody has their own house, but let me tell you, there are 7 million Kenyans living in slums, sharing toilets and poor roads,” Ruto stated.
The newly launched programme will take in 4,000 graduates in professions such as architecture, engineering, quantity surveying, and construction management. It is part of the government’s plan to create jobs and build capacity in the construction sector.
The President also pushed back against claims that Kenya is failing.
“When you hear people speak, it is as if Kenya is the worst country in the world. Far from it, we are a great country. Not many countries can achieve what we have achieved in housing in one and a half years.” Said the president.
On the economy, Ruto cited progress in stabilizing key indicators.
“I want to assure you we are working meticulously to make sure our economy is sound,” you can say all the lies you want, but the facts won’t change.” He said.
He noted inflation had dropped from 9.6% to 3.8%, and the dollar exchange rate had improved from KSh165 to KSh130 under his watch.
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