‘Be humble, you are lucky!’ Ruto defends housing levy

President William Ruto giving his remarks during a meeting with beneficiaries of the Affordable Housing Programme in Eldoret on October 18, 2026/PCSPresident William Ruto has defended the 1.5 per cent Affordable Housing Levy, saying Kenyans with jobs must make a small sacrifice to help less fortunate citizens secure employment and decent homes.

Speaking during a meeting with beneficiaries of the Affordable Housing Programme in Eldoret, Ruto said the deduction was necessary to ensure that the benefits of Kenya’s independence and economic progress were extended to citizens struggling with poverty, unemployment and poor housing.

“Why are we asking those of us who have jobs to make a sacrifice of 1.5 per cent? It is because there are many other Kenyans who have made bigger sacrifices than us,” he said.

The President argued that those holding public offices and formal employment should not consider themselves superior to other Kenyans, reminding leaders that access to opportunities was a privilege that came with responsibility.

“There are people who think there are better Kenyans than others. You as an MP, there are millions of Kenyans who can do your job. You are lucky to have that job, be humble,” Ruto said.

He urged Kenyans with opportunities to help improve the lives of those who remain economically disadvantaged, saying national development should be measured by its ability to uplift all citizens.

“Let us lift every Kenyan. It is our duty, our responsibility to lift every Kenyan,” he said.

Ruto maintained that the housing levy was part of a broader effort to create jobs and expand access to home ownership, particularly for citizens who cannot afford decent housing.

“If you are going to make a small contribution so that a fellow Kenyan can have a job, own a home, that is the value of our freedom,” he said.

The President further argued that Kenya’s independence and democratic freedoms had come at a heavy cost, with previous generations making significant sacrifices to secure the rights enjoyed today.

He said those with employment and leadership opportunities should similarly contribute to improving the circumstances of others, including helping families move away from hunger and informal settlements.

Under the Affordable Housing Act, 2024, the Housing Levy is charged at 1.5 per cent of an employee’s gross monthly salary, with an additional matching contribution of 1.5 per cent from the employer, bringing the combined contribution to three per cent.

The levy has remained a point of political contention, with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna opposing the mandatory deductions and describing the housing programme as a “housing scam.”

Sifuna has pledged to scrap the levy if he or his political movement takes power following the 2027 General Election, setting up a potential campaign debate over how Kenya should finance affordable housing and create jobs.

The Sh5.3 billion estate is part of the government’s Affordable Housing Programme, which seeks to expand access to homeownership

President William Ruto tried an air bike at the Pioneer estate gym before joking that its facilities resembled those of a five-star hotel.