President Ruto hands over keys to 176 Boma Yangu home owners in Machakos

The President presided over the handover on Friday afternoon, where 176 buyers who purchased units through the Boma Yangu platform officially received their house keys.

“As a model for social integration, the estate provides housing across all income categories. This ensures equitable access and encourages diverse, inclusive communities to flourish within the same development,” President Ruto said during the event.

According to Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, the new estate is strategically located with easy access to key public facilities, including Machakos University, KMTC Machakos Campus, Machakos High School, Machakos Level 5 Hospital and the county retail market. She said the proximity enhances connectivity, accessibility and convenience for the residents.

Wahome added that the construction phase created more than 450 jobs for local youth, artisans and suppliers.

“Notably, 39 artisans working on-site were formally assessed and certified under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, expanding their employability and future income opportunities,” she noted.

Beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the government for fulfilling its promise of delivering affordable homes. Beneard Nzau, a retired civil servant, said he never imagined he would own a home after retirement, describing the affordable housing programme as a “game changer” and urging politicians not to politicise it.

Faith Mueni Kioko, a 26-year-old person living with disability, could not hide her excitement after receiving keys to her studio apartment. She said she initially doubted that marginalised groups would be considered, adding that becoming a homeowner felt like a “God-sent gift.”

Affordable Housing Board Acting CEO Sheila Waweru encouraged more Kenyans to register and start saving on the Boma Yangu platform, assuring them of fair and equal opportunity to own a unit.

“Phase I of the project hosts 220 housing units consisting of 60 Studio Apartments, 40 One-Bedroom Units, 60 Two-Bedroom Units and 60 Three-Bedroom Units, situated off Chumvi-Machakos-Kitui Road. We have many more projects across the country,” she said.

During the ceremony, President Ruto also broke ground for Phase II of the project, which will see the construction of 570 additional units. The expansion is expected to provide daily employment opportunities for more than 500 workers.

The upcoming phase will feature several amenities, including a clubhouse with a swimming pool, an ECD school, a shopping mall and other supporting infrastructure.