President Ruto Calls on World Leaders to Prioritize Affordable Housing as a Pillar of Social Justice
He added that two million youth were trained in digital skills, with 300,000 now earning an income from doing online jobs.
Beyond this, the expansion of technical and vocational education institutions is geared toward making the country’s youth employable. Photo/courtesy
By Emmaculate cheruto
President William Ruto urged world leaders to adopt affordable housing as a key pillar of social justice and inclusive development. Speaking at the United Nations Social Development Summit in Doha, the president noted that Kenya’s model for affordable housing is proving effective in addressing unemployment, reducing inequality, and improving livelihoods among citizens.
Ruto said that over 23,000 units are under construction nationwide, creating in excess of 320,000 jobs and opportunities for artisans, contractors, and small enterprises. “Our Affordable Housing Programme is delivering much-needed shelter, while at the same time creating jobs and fostering inclusion,” he said.
The President underscored that housing should not be viewed simply as an infrastructure project, but as a fundamental social justice imperative. He argued that people-centered investments in things like affordable housing are vital to countries trying to lift citizens out of poverty, reduce inequality, and create economic opportunities-they’re key parts of global social development goals.
President Ruto further informed the delegates that Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda is already delivering tangible results across critical sectors: education, digital work, healthcare, and social protection. He noted that through the government’s reforms in the education sector, more than 76,000 new teachers have been recruited within three years and that the government plans to increase that number to 100,000 by January 2026. Beyond this, the expansion of technical and vocational education institutions is geared toward making the country’s youth employable.
On healthcare, Ruto indicated that medical insurance cover in Kenya has increased from eight million to more than 27 million people, which he says was a key milestone on the journey towards universal health access. He also spoke to the Hustler Fund that has issued over KSh 80 billion to 26.7 million people, with nine million becoming repeat borrowers and five million regaining formal creditworthiness.
The head of state also pointed out the increasing Kenyan workforce in the international sphere, saying that more than 400,000 Kenyans had secured employment abroad, including 70,000 in Qatar alone. He added that two million youth were trained in digital skills, with 300,000 now earning an income from doing online jobs.
As he celebrated those achievements, President Ruto warned that global solidarity on social development has weakened. He challenged world leaders to renew cooperation against surging inequality, debt distress, and global crises. “We must resist the temptation to retreat inward,” he cautioned. “The United Nations must remain the foremost guardian of peace but also a catalyst for prosperity and a champion of human dignity.”
Ruto called on all countries to recommit themselves to the elimination of poverty, decent jobs, and social inclusion. He said the summit should deliver a clear message that the world remains united in building inclusive and equitable societies. This two-day summit assembles Heads of State, Global Agencies, Development Partners, and Civil Society Organisations to discuss strategies that will help advance social justice and sustainable development across the world.
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