President William Ruto has announced a strategic trip to Malaysia in 2026 to benchmark Kenya’s Affordable Housing program, signaling the start of a robust partnership between the two nations. The announcement was made during the Kenya-Malaysia media briefing at State House Nairobi on Monday, November 24, 2025.
Ruto revealed that the visit will include members of the private sector, enabling them to learn from Malaysia’s success in housing development, human resource management, and health sector innovations.
“I will be visiting Malaysia next year and carrying quite a bit of the private sector with me so that they can see what Malaysia has done with the housing program, human resource development, and matters of health,” said President Ruto.
The Kenyan leader emphasized that Malaysia’s experience, along with Singapore’s, has inspired the Affordable Housing initiative in Kenya. He highlighted that the trip would provide insights into human resource development and innovative approaches that could be adapted locally.
“When I discuss with the people of Kenya the housing program, the greatest inspiration came from Singapore and Malaysia. They can come and see the kind of human resource development you have done,” Ruto added.
Ruto also highlighted how Malaysia’s health sector has influenced Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program. “They can also see what you have done in matters of health, even as we drive our own UHC here in Kenya. It is among the lessons that we have learned from your country,” he said.
The announcement follows Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s commendation of Ruto during a State House dinner on Sunday, November 23, 2025. Ibrahim praised Kenya’s Affordable Housing program for demonstrating visionary leadership and a commitment to poverty alleviation.
“One aspect particularly exciting for me, because I am like you very passionate about poverty alleviation, is housing for the poor, for the masses. Your ambitious program of over 150,000 units exemplifies remarkable leadership,” Ibrahim said.
President Ruto’s upcoming Malaysia visit underscores Kenya’s commitment to learning from international best practices to expand affordable housing, strengthen human capital, and improve health services nationwide.
