President Ruto Abolishes Kazi Mtaani Program, Says It is Outdated

President Ruto has abolished the Kazi Mtaani program that was launched by his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta in 2020 to cushion the most vulnerable youth in the informal settlements from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Terming the program outdated, President Ruto said his administration is exploring better and current programs that would create more jobs for the youth while transforming the settlement schemes.

The president spoke on Tuesday when he presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of the Soweto East Zone B Affordable Social Housing Program in Kibra, Nairobi.

 “We want to make this program a reality and every Kenyan to own a decent home wherever they are in the Republic of Kenya,” Ruto said.

“Najua mmeniambia mnataka kazi mtaani, sikizeni, mambo ya kazi mtaani ni mambo ya zamani. Ile kazi ya kuokota takataka tuachane na hiyo, sasa kazi itakuwa hii. Hakuna kazi mtaani tena, kazi ni hii ya kujenga nyumba. Wale watu wa kwanza wataajiriwa kwa hii kazi ni watu wa hapa Langata na watu wa Kibra.”

Ruto indicated that his government will generate employment opportunities for the youth through the construction of affordable houses.

“We will employ 2500 youths who would otherwise be on Kazi Mtaani to construct the houses here in Soweto,” he said.

Ruto said he expects the two-year Kibera Soweto B Social Housing Project, in which 4,054 units will be put up, to prioritize those already living in the area in the allocation of the new houses. Under the project, residents will get the opportunity to become homeowners through a ‘rent-to-own’ program from as low as Sh2400 per month for 20 years.

The president reiterated that his administration will construct at least 200,000 low-cost housing units annually. He said the country has a shortage of one million units.

“I have already instructed governors to look for land where we can invest in affordable houses to improve the quality of living for our people and change the face of every town in Kenya.”