Ruto reveals what Uhuru told him about Affordable Housing levy

President William Ruto has disclosed that former President Uhuru Kenyatta personally called him to ensure Kenya’s housing programme stayed on track, warning him about the housing levy.

Speaking at a teachers’ meeting in the State House on Saturday, September 13, 2025, Ruto recounted the moment Uhuru called him to discuss the housing programme and ensure the levy was implemented correctly.

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“One morning, Uhuru called me, ‘William, come here…’ He told me, ‘Hey, do you have a house?’ I said, ‘Yes, Mr President.’ So at night, we called him. What is this? If people want housing, let them go; let this thing be lost. Housing is over there. Do you understand me?” he said.

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He went on to explain how Uhuru also guided him on selecting the Principal Secretary Charles Hinga to lead the housing projects.

“So when it came to Jubilee, my boss… Uhuru told me, ‘I have a very good person, a very good professional; he is in South Africa, and his name is Charles Hinga.’ We went to look for him. We brought him,” Ruto recalled.

Guidance from Uhuru

Ruto highlighted that housing has been a recurring priority in party manifestos over the last 30 years, from the first slum upgrading programmes under Azimio to the Jubilee manifesto’s big four agenda.

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He noted that the current levy was part of a clear plan to make housing accessible and sustainable.

He explained why affordable housing is urgent, given the rapid urban growth.

“The future is urban, whether you like it or not. By 2050, half our population will be living in cities. We must ensure there is decent housing,” Ruto said, stressing the need to accommodate millions currently living in slums.

Ruto described the scale of ongoing projects and their economic impact.

“We are building 170,000 houses, 400 markets, 172,000 hostel units for universities, and medical training centres. Hundreds of thousands of Kenyans are finding work, and industries like cement and steel are growing,” he said, emphasising that affordable housing is central to transforming the country.