President William Ruto has lauded the late Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno for his unwavering courage and dedication in guiding the government’s Affordable Housing Programme through intense political and public scrutiny.
Paying tribute to Ngeno, Ruto said the lawmaker deserves special recognition for leading the Housing Committee and ensuring the project’s progress. He added that the committee’s work on this ambitious initiative will hold a lasting place in his reflections on leadership.
“When finally I write my memoirs, the members of the housing committee in Parliament will have a chapter,” Ruto said.
Ng’eno served as the committee’s chairman until his passing, playing a central role in the programme that Ruto describes as one of the most challenging undertakings of his presidency, testing both his resolve and leadership.
A Leader Driven by Passion
During a visit to Ngeno’s hometown, the President spoke emotionally about the late MP, highlighting his passion and steadfast commitment from the very start.
“As I said, Hon Ng’eno was very passionate about what he did, and he never did half measures,” Ruto said.
He continued, “When we rolled out housing, and as the vice chair of the committee has said, housing was one of the most difficult assignments that I have undertaken as President. It has tested my resilience as a person.”
Ruto revealed that he specifically selected Ng’eno to chair the Housing Committee because he trusted that the lawmaker’s determination would see the programme through.
“When I was going through the people who would chair the different committees, I settled on Ngeno because I knew if I persuaded him to do it, there would be no looking back,” he said.
Standing Firm Amid Criticism
The president said many leaders privately advised him to abandon the affordable housing program, warning that it would be politically risky and unpopular.
“For your information, many people came to me and told me, ‘Mr President, I think you should drop this thing. This thing is very difficult; this thing is going to make you unpopular.’ Of all the people who came to see me, Ngeno did not,” he recalled.
Instead, Ng’eno offered steadfast support.
“He told me, ‘My brother, I am here because this is the right thing to do. We will drive it.’ And it is true,” Ruto said, thanking the committee members for standing firm despite public opposition and criticism.
The President noted that members of the Housing Committee faced hostility across the country as they defended the programme.
“They went to difficult places. They were heckled in different places. They were told off in different places,” he said.
From Skepticism to Demand
However, Ruto noted a dramatic shift in the political tide. Those who were once skeptical are now the most vocal proponents of the project in their own backyards.
“There is no Member of Parliament here who is not telling me, ‘We want an extra market,’ or ‘We want more hostels,’ or ‘There is no affordable housing in my corner.’ True or not true?” he asked.
The President described housing as the most significant initiative of his administration, highlighting its massive financial commitments and economic impact.
“A few months ago, when I was in Ethiopia, I said we had signed contracts of $4 billion, and many people said that is not true; that is a lie. But let me tell you, today we have signed contracts worth Sh650 billion,” he said.
He added that the funds come from Kenya’s own resources, not borrowed money, and pointed out that the country’s skyline is rapidly transforming, with construction growth rising by 10 per cent and the sector’s contribution to GDP expanding.
A Lasting Tribute
Ruto acknowledged that without the legal and regulatory framework established by Parliament, this transformation would have been impossible.
“Without Parliament, we would not have had the legislation and regulations that gave us the possibility to change our nation,” he said.
In his final tribute, the president declared that Ngeno’s legacy would remain tethered to this national milestone
“Johana Ngeno will have a special place in housing,” he said.
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