President William Ruto wrapped up his five-day tour of the capital, Nairobi, with a series of promises. President William Ruto has pledged to elevate Eastlands to a world-class standard. Has Ruto promised to turn Eastlands into New York? Speaking on Friday, March 14, Ruto pledged to give Eastlands a world-class makeover, comparable to New York City or London. He said he plans to achieve this by ensuring the improvement of housing under his Affordable Housing initiative. “I am telling you that we will have an Affordable Housing programme. We are going to be around 2700 houses in the first round. We later going to add more houses to make it reach to 5000 houses,” he said.
In Shauri Moyo we are going to build 4000 houses. In Makongeni, we will build 30,000 houses. We are going to do this to transform Eastlands. We are going to build a 26-storey building. This place is going to look like London or New York,” he added. The head of state said that he aims to ensure that the people of Eastlands live like those living abroad. President William Ruto and Kithure Kindiki in reflectors during their Nairobi tour. Photo: William Ruto. Source: Facebook He also vowed to provide 1,500 unemployed youth with jobs through the Affordable Housing Programme to help them sustain their daily needs. Throughout his tour of Nairobi, Ruto consistently urged Kenyans to remain united and reject divisive, ethnic politics. He said Kenya belongs to everyone, regardless of tribe, skin color, religion, region, or other divisions.
How did Kenyans react to Ruto’s promise? Ruto’s pledge to Kenyans drew mixed reactions, with some questioning the intensity at which he is making promises. Is_Nicholas: “Oh wow, Eastlands is about to become the next London or New York? I better start practicing my British accent.” Manuel Odong Kilara: “Is he campaigning for the next election?” Ibra: “Hizi ni gani tena?” Vickah Oroche: “Promises after promises.” Makena Mwita: “That’s a pipe dream. Nairobi is not planned to be a London or New York even in a billion years time. Unless tubomoe kila kitu tuanze upya.” Dayton Mulinge: “Wow! Turning Eastlands into a global city like London! I’m all for ambition.” Voic of Speechless: “Where in this earth have you seen Eastland being developed more than Westlands.”
by Faith Chandianya
