Aasai

The construction of the first student housing under the Affordable Cost Housing Makali Program has started in Homa Bay after President William Ruto laid the stone of Tom Mboya University Students Village. The 2,064-bed facility is expected to address the dire living conditions faced by students, while meeting the growing demand for safe, affordable and quality accommodation for university students. Speaking during the launch, President Ruto noted that the project is the first national project to provide 170,000 beds for students in training colleges, Kenyan Medical Training Colleges and universities across the country. 

Ruto emphasized that the student housing program aims to return students to college because they have completed safe, safe, and appropriate shelters for the dangerous risks they have, the lack of security. Homa Bay is the first county to benefit from this program, which will be implemented step by step for other institutions across the country. The President continued to point out that the project will not only improve the situation of self-harm but will also stimulate economic activities to allow the distribution of cement, steel, stone mining equipment and other construction materials— to benefit the community in various sectors. 

The Secretary General for Housing, Charles Hinga said the project will have two modern hostel blocks: one G+9 dormitory and one G+14 business dormitory, combined with professional and social infrastructure. He said that the equipment is designed to promote a safe, accessible and community-based environment that enables analysts to improve educationally and socially. According to the PS, the project will create more than 1,500 direct and indirect jobs, while, it did not give priority to local youth and women.

 The Homa Bay Jua Kali industry will be integrated into the project distribution order to launch contracts worth approximately Ksh.285 million for the supply of windows, doors and other equipment. Deputy Chancellor of Tom Mboya University, Prof Charles O. Ochola, welcomed the project saying it will greatly improve the quality of life of students. He expressed his pride in Homa Bay being the first beneficiary of the important program, describing it as an important step for the university and the country.

Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga has praised the rapid development of the county in the past three years, praising the great cooperation with the national government for turning the area which was very popular into an example of the success of devolution. Speaking on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, during the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, Wanga said many visible developments in the county have taken place since President William Ruto came to power.