Political activist and vocal government critic Nuru Okanga has stirred fresh debate after claiming that the affordable housing project being championed by President William Ruto was originally conceived during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration. Okanga accused the current government of unfairly taking full credit for an initiative he says predates the Kenya Kwanza regime.
In a strongly worded statement shared online, Okanga urged supporters of President Ruto to stop what he termed “excessive praise,” arguing that the affordable housing agenda did not begin in 2022. According to him, the project was part of policy frameworks developed during Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure, particularly under the Big Four Agenda, which prioritized affordable housing as a key pillar of national development.
Okanga maintained that while President Ruto has continued and expanded the project, it is misleading to present it as an entirely new idea. He insisted that acknowledging its origins would provide a more honest account of Kenya’s policy continuity and governance history.
“The affordable housing project did not start with this government. It was already in motion during Uhuru’s time. Kenyans should be told the truth instead of being fed propaganda,” Okanga argued.
His remarks have reignited a long-standing political debate over ownership of national development projects, a recurring issue whenever administrations change. Supporters of the Kenya Kwanza government argue that President Ruto deserves credit for accelerating implementation, securing funding, and turning policy into action. Critics, however, counter that many flagship projects are inherited and should be credited across administrations.
The controversy has drawn mixed reactions online, with some Kenyans agreeing that major national projects often span multiple governments, while others believe the current administration deserves recognition for execution rather than conception. Political analysts note that such disputes are common in Kenyan politics, where development agendas are frequently used as tools for political branding.
As the affordable housing program continues to take shape across the country, Okanga’s claims have added another layer to the national conversation—one that goes beyond housing and touches on transparency, political honesty, and the importance of acknowledging policy continuity. Whether Kenyans side with Okanga’s argument or the government’s narrative, the debate underscores how development projects remain deeply intertwined with political identity and legacy.
