New Mukuru Housing Project Transforms Lives, Creates 4,000 Jobs

Construction work at the Mukuru Social Housing Project Meteorological Site is nearing completion and the first batch batch of beneficiaries are set to receive their keys in the coming days.

The ongoing construction of the New Mukuru Housing Estate has become a game-changer for the Mukuru Kwa Njenga community, creating over 4,000 direct and indirect jobs while transforming lives and restoring hope.

Spearheaded under the government’s Agenda the affordable housing project targets 1,080 households currently living in informal settlements. It not only aims to provide decent and dignified homes but also addresses long-standing issues of youth unemployment and urban poverty.

During a recent address, President William Ruto urged contractors to prioritize hiring local youth, a directive that has since been honored.

Workers at the New Mukuru Housing Estate where some 1080 households will be relocated from Mukuru Kwa Njenga informal settlement opening a new chapter of dignity and transformation.

Community chairman Geoffrey Odhiambo lauded the move, saying it has positively impacted hundreds of families. “The President was clear: locals must be given first priority,” he said. “Today, many youth from Mukuru are earning a daily income, helping their families.”

Before construction began, Mukuru Kwa Njenga grappled with rampant drug use, crime and hopelessness. Now, the story is changing. Over 1,000 direct jobs and 500 indirect roles have already been created from the first five housing blocks alone, ranging from masons and electricians to painters and accountants,architects, among others.

For residents like Maximilian Kamotho, also known as Mama Joan or Mama Samosa, the project is deeply personal. After 17 years in overcrowded rooms with no indoor plumbing, she is among the first beneficiaries. “This is more than a house; it’s a new beginning,” she said.

Priority has been given to Mukuru residents like Maximilian Kamotho, who currently pays Ksh 4,000 for two rooms.

The Mukuru Met Site Social Housing Project will ultimately house over 13,250 households, offering 5,616 modern studio apartments, 3,024 one-bedroom units, and 4,608 two-bedroom units. With improved sanitation, security, and living conditions, the project is reshaping a community once defined by despair.

In Mukuru, job creation and decent housing are not just policies they’re a powerful symbol of renewal.

By Sharon Atieno