Ruto Announces Construction of New City

President William Ruto has announced plans to build a Ksh 4 billion Smart City in Malaba, Busia County, which will include 2,000 Affordable Housing units as part of a wider development programme in the region.

Speaking during an engagement with the Teso community at State Lodge, Eldoret on August 29, 2026, Ruto said the Smart City would transform the border town while creating new opportunities for residents and businesses.

“One of the things I want to announce today is that we will also build you a Smart City in Malaba. Malaba should wake up and stop looking like a shopping centre with mud all over,” Ruto said.

The President said his administration had already planned the project and would soon begin the process of bringing the development to Malaba.

In addition, Ruto said the Smart City would complement other government projects in Busia County, including markets and hostel developments in various parts of the region.

Ksh 4 Billion Set Aside for Malaba Smart City Project

Ruto said the Smart City would feature 2,000 Affordable Housing units in Malaba town, with the government already setting aside Ksh 4 billion for the construction.

“I have already arranged with my people that we are putting up a Smart City that will have 2,000 Affordable Housing houses in Malaba town. We have already allocated Ksh 4 billion to do that work,” Ruto said.

He added that the government would advertise the project within the coming weeks or one to two months before construction begins.

Furthermore, the President mentioned ongoing projects involving markets and hostel developments in Chemasiri, KMTC and other areas, saying they would complement the planned development.

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Project to Create Employment Opportunities 

Ruto said these projects would create employment opportunities for young people while also boosting businesses that supply cement, steel, stones and other construction materials.

Meanwhile, the President defended the Affordable Housing Programme, saying it had created jobs for about 1.1 million people, including mechanical, electrical and civil engineers, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, masons and steel fixers.

Ruto said the construction programme would generate more opportunities for businesses involved in supplying materials for the Smart City and other government projects.

“So, that whole programme will give young people opportunities for employment. It will also give business opportunities to people who will sell steel, cement, stones, construction materials and all the businesses that will be there,” he said.

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Ruto to Ensure Equality

Beyond Malaba, the President said his administration was working to spread development more evenly across the country.

He argued that many regions were now receiving major projects for the first time, adding that his government wanted development to reach communities across the country.

“We have brought equality to our nation. Equality in every part of Kenya. There are many parts of Kenya where people are seeing development for the first time. They are hearing about a Ksh 1 billion project for the first time,” Ruto said.

He maintained that communities across Kenya, including the Teso community, deserved to benefit from development projects and the economic opportunities they create.

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Photo of president William Ruto in a traditional regalia, carrying a spear and a shield, after Teso elders install him as a Teso Elder and bestow upon him the name Ojokotau, meaning someone with a big heart, during an engagement with the Teso community at State Lodge, Eldoret on August 29, 2026. PHOTO/ PCS