Kenya is seeking to position itself as a continental leader in affordable housing after President William Ruto left for Baku to attend the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum, where he is expected to pitch the country’s housing and urban renewal agenda to global investors and development partners.
In a statement issued on Saturday by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, the government said Kenya had earned recognition from UN-Habitat for its strides in affordable housing and sustainable urban development, leading to the invitation to the high-profile summit.
The global forum, hosted in Azerbaijan, brings together governments, investors, city leaders, development agencies and civil society organisations to discuss solutions to the worsening global housing crisis.
“President William Ruto departs this evening for Baku, Azerbaijan, to attend the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum, where Kenya has been invited in recognition of its leadership and success in affordable housing and sustainable urban development,” part of the statement read.
During the summit, Ruto is expected to highlight Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme, which the government says has played a key role in transforming informal settlements and improving access to decent housing for low-income earners.
The administration is also seeking to use the forum to attract new partnerships and financing that could help expand housing projects and fast-track urban renewal efforts, including the ongoing Nairobi rivers regeneration initiative.
“The Forum will also provide an opportunity for Kenya to mobilise partnerships and investments to expand and scale the Affordable Housing Programme and urban renewal initiatives, including the Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Programme,” the statement added.
Ruto will attend the meeting in his capacity as the global champion for adequate housing, a role previously conferred on him by UN-Habitat in recognition of Kenya’s housing initiatives.
At the summit, the President is also expected to lobby for reforms in the international financial system and advocate for innovative financing mechanisms aimed at unlocking more funding for housing and infrastructure development across Africa.
On the sidelines of the forum, Ruto is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with several leaders and investors, including Ilham Aliyev. The discussions are expected to centre on cooperation in energy, ICT, infrastructure, Special Economic Zones and export opportunities for Kenyan agricultural products.
After concluding the Azerbaijan visit, the President will travel to Astana for a State Visit focused on strengthening trade and investment relations between Kenya and Kazakhstan.
During the trip, Ruto is expected to meet Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and witness the signing of agreements covering transport, tourism, ICT, labour mobility, investment cooperation and plans for logistics hubs connected to the ports of Mombasa and Lamu.