President William Ruto has praised the Affordable Housing initiative as a strategic tool in preserving agricultural land and preventing its fragmentation, a key threat to Kenya’s food security.
Speaking during the Murang’a County Investors Conference on Friday, June 13, 2025, the President said the housing programme provides an alternative to settlements on fertile farmland, particularly in agriculturally rich counties like Murang’a. He warned that continued subdivision of arable land for residential purposes could significantly impact the production of key crops such as tea and avocados.
“This is why the affordable housing project is important for Murang’a County so that it can continue leading in the production of tea and avocado fruits,” said Ruto, adding that the government plans to construct 10,000 units in the first phase.
Beyond housing, the President highlighted other government interventions, such as the ongoing construction of 400 modern markets across the country, including 33 in Murang’a. These facilities will feature cold storage systems to reduce post-harvest losses, currently estimated at 40 percent, by enabling farmers to preserve and market their produce more effectively.
“We lose a lot of food simply because farmers lack cold storage or proper market spaces. The new markets will help solve this challenge,” he said.
President Ruto also underscored the government’s commitment to industrialization through Special Economic Zones (SEZs). He applauded Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata for allocating all 1,300 acres of land previously ceded by Delmonte to manufacturing and committed to having it gazetted as an SEZ.
He pledged infrastructural support, including the completion of stalled road projects to ensure smooth transport of raw materials to the SEZ.
Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi echoed the importance of industrialization, noting that it will create jobs and broaden the tax base. Lands CS Alice Wahome announced plans to issue allotment letters for the SEZ land and construct 6,800 student hostels and 10 affordable housing projects in the county.
The President’s remarks highlighted his administration’s multifaceted approach to development balancing food security, housing, industrialization, and youth empowerment.
