Kisumu, Kenya – In a significant display of collaborative development efforts, President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga jointly inaugurated large-scale affordable housing schemes in Kisumu County on May 29. President Ruto officially opened Phase I of the LAPFUND Makasembo project, an initiative set to deliver 2,384 low-cost housing units by January 2026. He announced that the full scope of the initiative aims to provide a total of 4,768 new homes, substantially helping to bridge the existing housing deficit in the lakeside city.

Bipartisan Support and Community Contribution

Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o (represented by officials, as Johnson Sakaja is Nairobi Governor) welcomed the project as a vital boost for local residents and the regional economy. President Ruto extended his gratitude to Governor Nyong'o and particularly to Raila Odinga for their support of the ambitious housing plan. He noted that Mr. Odinga had generously donated five acres of land in the Makasembo area for the project. Additionally, local Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed contributed another five acres for a companion affordable housing project known as Lumumba Estate. Raila Odinga, present at the launch, congratulated the initial beneficiaries who won homes in the lottery, expressing his pride in contributing to the development of his home region.

Government Commitment to Housing

President Ruto reiterated that these developments underscore the government’s unwavering commitment to expanding home ownership opportunities for low and middle-income Kenyan families. “We will continue to partner with all stakeholders, including county governments and private developers, to ensure Kenyans live in decent, affordable houses,” he affirmed. The ceremony also marked the formal expansion of the Lake Victoria Point housing project in Kisumu, further highlighting the administration's focused efforts on mass home building programs in the Nyanza region and across the country.