President William Ruto's Affordable Housing Programme has received global recognition for promoting urbanisation and improving access to decent housing for Kenyans.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development was feted with the Certified Bronze Gigacity award 2025 for successfully meeting the criteria of gigacity as established by the World Broadband Association (WBBA).
The Certified Bronze Gigacity award recognises both governmental and non-governmental initiatives that promote business activities through improved access to services and foster urbanisation.
It also recognises initiatives that support smart technologies, integration of sustainability and climate resilience in both urban and industrial programmes.
The award was received by Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga at a ceremony held in Cape Town, South Africa, on Monday, November 10.
During the ceremony, Hinga was also recognised for his immense contribution to the growth of megacities in Kenya, through the smart cities initiative.
Hinga, who was re-appointed as the Housing PS in 2023, has been prolific in the progress of the affordable housing programme in Kenya, publicly defending the government's multi-billion-shilling project.
Speaking during the award ceremony, Hinga said the Housing programme was not just about providing decent housing for Kenyans but also creating job opportunities for Kenyans.
He said billions of shillings have been set aside for the Jua Kali for the supply of doors and windows, while the programme has also created a consumptive demand for the manufacturing sector.
“Today in Kenya, every major town's flagship project is under the affordable housing program. The program is now a reality and has stimulated economic activities beyond the traditional brick and mortar workforce to focus on technological innovations,” Hinga said.
The PS committed that the gigacities initiative will be replicated in several of the AHP projects across the country, adding that the programme has created over 300,000 direct and indirect jobs.
“Kenya has set the benchmark for Africa in integrating smart urban transformation. Projects such as the Boma Yangu Mukuru Housing Estate and Konza Technopolis, where we are developing over 2,000 housing units, are now being showcased by UN-Habitat and other partners as models of sustainable city-building,” the PS added.
