ELGEYO MARAKWET, Kenya – President William Ruto has launched a fresh attack on Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna over his pledge to scrap the affordable housing levy if elected President, warning that the move could threaten thousands of jobs and derail plans to provide decent homes for low-income Kenyans.
Speaking during a rally in Marakwet East Constituency, Elgeyo Marakwet County, on Tuesday, Ruto challenged Sifuna to consider the impact of ending the housing programme on workers and families who depend on it.
The President took issue with Sifuna’s reported complaint that he pays Sh24,000 in housing levy deductions from his salary, questioning whether the senator had considered the benefits the programme offers to ordinary Kenyans.
“Nilisikia jamaa mwingine juzi eti anasema yeye analipa Sh.24,000 ya housing kutoka kwa mshahara yake na ni mtu Senator, ati yeye sasa ako na mpango ya kusimamisha hii programme ya housing ati kwa sababu analipa Sh.24,000,” Ruto said.
He urged the senator to reconsider his position, arguing that the housing programme provides employment opportunities for Kenyans.
“Mimi nataka niambie huyo jamaa, tumia akili naniii, wacha uji. Wale wanakulipa mshahara ni hawa wananchi hawa. Watoto wa hawa wananchi milioni moja ndiyo wanafanya kazi kwa affordable housing,” he added.
Ruto Defends Housing Levy Over Jobs And Affordable Homes
Ruto argued that Sifuna’s proposal would undermine opportunities for Kenyans working on affordable housing projects while frustrating the aspirations of families living in informal settlements.
He questioned the senator’s reported Sh24,000 monthly housing levy deduction, arguing that it indicated a salary of about Sh1.8 million.
“Kama unalipa housing Sh.24,000 inamaanisha mshahara yako ni Sh.1.8 million. Wewe unataka kuja kusimamisha ili Wakenya wenye wanaishi kwa squalor waendelee kuishi huko wewe ukiishi kwa 5 bedrooms. Huyo ni mtu ako na akili kweli?” the President posed.
The exchange underscores the political dispute over the housing levy, which the government has defended as a key source of funding for its affordable housing programme.
Cheruiyot Predicts Ruto Will Retain State House
Kericho Senator and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot also took aim at opposition figures seeking to unite behind a single presidential candidate.
Cheruiyot dismissed the opposition’s efforts, expressing confidence that Ruto would win the 2027 General Election and return to State House.
“Yule tapeli anaongea ati watatoa candidate mmoja option mko nayo ni saa ngapi mtashindwa. Mtakawia lakini hamwezi kupita saa moja na nusu William Ruto atarudi State House,” Cheruiyot said.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi also defended the administration’s record, citing the expansion of electricity access as an example of the government’s development efforts.
“Hao watu hakuna mahali wanaweza kwenda bila kusukumwa. Hakuna mahali wanaenda. Rais kwa miaka minne umeweka nyumba 1.5 million kwa stima na Wakenya wanaona stima,” Wandayi said.
Ruto Urges North Rift Residents To Register As Voters
The President also urged residents of the North Rift to register as voters, expressing concern over what he described as low voter registration in the region.
Ruto said residents should mobilise locally rather than leave him to seek votes elsewhere while potential supporters at home remained unregistered.
“Sasa nyinyi mnanifanya naenda kupiga magoti huko, naenda kupiga magoti huko nikiomba kura ya wengine na iko kura ya nyumbani hapa. Hapana hapana. Mnanikosea. Wacheeni mchezo…Hii kelele yote haiwezi kusaidia mimi. Ile itanisaidia ni kura kwa debe,” he said.
Government Credits Security Operations For Improved Peace
Security in the North Rift also featured prominently during the rally, with government leaders praising efforts to tackle banditry and restore calm in affected areas.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said security operations had helped residents in Kapyego resume their daily activities with greater confidence.
“Mheshimiwa Rais mimi nakushukuru sana hapa Kapyego watu walikuwa wanajificha lakini bunduki tumetoa sai watu wanakaa kwa amani,” Murkomen said.
The leaders used the rally to defend the government’s development and security record as political alignments continue to take shape ahead of the 2027 General Election.
