President William Ruto has been named the Global Champion of Adequate Housing by UN-Habitat, a prestigious recognition announced during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The award celebrates Kenya’s ongoing efforts to address the housing crisis through bold reforms and inclusive policies.https://www.facebook.com/100067867727102/posts/pfbid0Ef5mvRFVYa51wziNfX5am11cqWhJbKPnNhTYkS9tBut5bXSiDUxzn4qobaohgCxPl/?app=fbl
In his acceptance speech, President Ruto underscored the urgency of making housing accessible to all, not just the wealthy. “Housing must not be the privilege of a few. It must become the reality of all,” he declared, calling for global cooperation to solve what he described as one of the world’s most pressing urban challenges.
Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme, which aims to construct hundreds of thousands of low-cost homes, has become a flagship initiative under Ruto’s administration. The programme not only targets the urban poor but also seeks to create jobs and stimulate the local construction industry.
President Ruto emphasized the need for innovative financing models, public-private partnerships, and supportive urban planning policies. He urged global leaders and financial institutions to support housing as a basic human right, not a luxury.
The recognition from UN-Habitat places Kenya at the forefront of the global housing conversation. It also highlights the country’s ambition to bridge the housing gap through sustainability, inclusivity, and dignity for all citizens.
Ruto’s appointment as Global Champion gives him a platform to advocate for affordable housing beyond Kenya’s borders, pushing for solutions that are scalable and adaptable across developing nations.
As urban populations grow and inequalities widen, Ruto’s message resonates deeply: the right to adequate shelter must be safeguarded—not someday, but now. His recognition marks not just a national achievement, but a call to action for the world.
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