President William Ruto’s Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) has been honoured internationally for advancing urbanisation and providing accessible, quality housing for Kenyans.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development received the Certified Bronze Gigacity Award 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa, recognising projects that drive urban growth, support business development, and integrate sustainable and smart technologies.
The award, presented to Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga on Monday, November 10, highlights initiatives that combine urban development with climate resilience and economic empowerment. Hinga was lauded for his pivotal role in promoting Kenya’s smart cities and megacities initiatives, including the Affordable Housing Programme.
“This programme is not just about providing decent homes; it also creates jobs and stimulates economic activities,” Hinga said. “We have allocated billions of shillings to the Jua Kali sector for the supply of doors and windows, generating demand across the manufacturing industry.”
Hinga emphasised that over 300,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created through the programme, which has transformed urban planning in Kenya’s major towns. Key projects, such as Boma Yangu Mukuru Housing Estate and Konza Technopolis, are now being showcased by UN-Habitat and other international partners as models of sustainable urban development.
“Kenya is setting the benchmark for Africa in smart urban transformation. Our flagship projects integrate technology, sustainability, and economic empowerment to build modern, inclusive cities,” Hinga added.
The award cements Kenya’s position as a regional leader in affordable, technology-driven urban housing, demonstrating the potential of public-sector initiatives to deliver both social and economic impact.