Ruto’s Housing Fund: A Sanctioned Crime Against Kenyans

On October 20, 2024, Kenyans were supposed to come together in unity to celebrate their heroes and heroines, the brave individuals who have shaped the country’s history through selfless service and sacrifice. Yet, instead of honoring their legacy, the day was hijacked by President William Ruto to promote the so-called affordable housing program—an initiative riddled with inconsistencies, corruption, and blatant dishonesty. Rather than uplifting the spirit of independence and heroism, Ruto chose to showcase his administration’s sham project, presenting it as a solution to the housing crisis while ignoring the blatant facts that the program is not designed for ordinary Kenyans but for a select few who will benefit from kickbacks and underhanded deals.

This blatant manipulation of a national holiday for political propaganda is not only an insult to the memory of our heroes but a dangerous precedent. Kenyans must rise and say enough is enough. The misuse of Heroes’ Day for personal gain and political showboating reflects the deep-rooted corruption in our governance. It’s time we stop allowing our leaders to trample on our dignity and heritage while they line their pockets. The affordable housing agenda, as it stands, is a façade masking the true exploitation of public funds and resources, and it is high time we demand transparency, justice, and respect for the people’s welfare. 

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When President William Ruto announced the Affordable Housing Project, it seemed like a noble idea on the surface, promising to solve Kenya’s housing crisis. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes painfully clear that this so-called “solution” is not only deeply flawed but also a tool for sanctioned theft. At the core of this scheme is the Housing Fund Levy, an involuntary tax disguised as an investment into homeownership. Kenyans are forced to surrender a percentage of their salaries monthly, and yet when the time comes to claim a home, they are still expected to pay for it out of pocket. This is a blatant form of double taxation, and more disturbingly, it feels like a coordinated ploy to rob citizens under the guise of national development.

The concept of affordable housing is essential in any growing economy. Kenya needs more houses; that much is clear. According to various estimates, Kenya’s housing deficit stands at over 2 million units, and the demand is growing by an additional 200,000 units annually. For most Kenyans, owning a home is a dream that seems impossible to achieve due to rising costs and limited access to affordable financing. However, rather than addressing the root causes of these challenges, Ruto’s government has created a convoluted system that punishes the very citizens it claims to help.

The Housing Fund Levy is a burden on already overtaxed Kenyans. Workers, who are already facing tough economic times due to inflation and stagnant wages, are now forced to contribute to a fund from which they may never directly benefit. If someone is not chosen to get home, the money they have contributed over the years will essentially remain with the government, offering them nothing in return. The promise that this money will be refunded is vague and unconvincing at best, particularly in a country where corruption runs rampant and public funds regularly disappear into private pockets.

Worse still, there are no clear criteria for who gets to own these houses. The project is veiled in ambiguity, allowing those in power to manipulate the system to their advantage. The concern isn’t just about the levy itself; it’s also about how the collected funds are being invested. The money from this levy is being funneled into government bonds, with the interest being pocketed by a select few well-connected individuals. These funds meant to provide homes for hardworking Kenyans, are instead lining the pockets of the corrupt elite. This is not just an administrative failure—it is a criminal enterprise masquerading as a public service.

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Kenya has a well-documented history of grand corruption. From the NYS scandals to the Arror and Kimwarer dams, billions have been stolen with little consequence for the perpetrators. The same people behind these mega-scandals are now running the housing fund, and we are expected to believe that they will act in the public’s interest. No one has been jailed for the gross mismanagement of public resources in recent years, and there is no reason to believe that the Housing Fund will be any different. This is organized crime, plain and simple, and it has been sanctioned by the very people entrusted to protect public resources.

Let’s take a step back and examine the real estate market in Kenya. Nairobi’s housing prices are among the highest in Africa, and the irony is that this isn’t due to legitimate market forces. The sector is rife with illicit funds being funneled into high-end properties, driving up prices beyond the reach of ordinary Kenyans. The influx of dirty money has distorted the market, and Ruto’s housing plan does nothing to address this. It exacerbates the problem by creating a facade of affordability while allowing those with ill-gotten wealth to continue dominating the sector.

What is most alarming is President Ruto’s dangerous obsession with the housing issue. Despite widespread opposition and mounting evidence that the levy is impractical, he remains stubbornly committed to pushing it through. This raises serious questions about his motives. Why is he so fixated on this project, and why is he willing to ignore the advice of experts, the protests of the people, and even the economic realities on the ground? There are whispers that Ruto and his allies have vested interests in the construction companies set to benefit from these contracts. If this is true, it would explain his fervent determination to see the project through at all costs, even if it means plunging millions of Kenyans into further financial strain.

Housing, as outlined in the Kenyan Constitution, is a devolved function. This means that county governments should be at the forefront of addressing housing issues, not the national government. By centralizing the housing project under his administration, Ruto is overstepping his mandate and undermining the devolution framework. He is effectively stripping counties of their constitutional right to manage their housing projects, all in the name of a national project that reeks of corruption. This power grab is a direct affront to the spirit of devolution and is yet another indication that the housing fund is less about solving a crisis and more about consolidating power and wealth for the elite.

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The public deserves to know the truth. The Housing Fund is not about affordable housing. It is about theft, control, and maintaining a corrupt status quo. The project is riddled with inconsistencies, from the unclear selection process to the blatant double-dipping by the government. Kenyans are not only being asked to fund a project they may never benefit from, but they are also being asked to trust a government that has proven time and again that it cannot be trusted with public funds.

In light of all these issues, it is time for Kenyans to demand the annulment of the Housing Fund Levy. The funds that have already been collected should be refunded, and those responsible for this fraud must be held accountable. It is not enough to simply criticize the project; we must demand real consequences for those who have betrayed the public’s trust. The housing crisis in Kenya is real, but the solution lies in empowering counties to take charge of their housing needs, regulating illicit funds in the real estate market, and creating an enabling environment for private citizens to build their own homes without government interference.

Ruto must step back from this project. His administration has already proven incapable of managing public resources without dipping into them for personal gain. Housing, like any other basic human need, requires a thoughtful, long-term strategy, not a reckless, money-grabbing scheme. If Ruto genuinely cares about solving the housing crisis, he should listen to experts, work with county governments, and focus on regulating the real estate sector. Until then, the Housing Fund remains nothing more than a sanctioned robbery.

Kenyans must stand up against this organized crime. It is our right to demand transparency, accountability, and a government that serves the people, not the other way around. We must reject this Housing Fund, call out the lies, and ensure that our voices are heard. This isn’t just about housing; it’s about our future, our dignity, and our right to live in a country that respects and protects its citizens. Anything less is unacceptable.

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