President William Ruto is set to preside over the commissioning of Phase One of the LAPFUND Makasembo Affordable Housing Project in Kisumu on Thursday, May 29, 2025. The event will see the handing over of keys to occupants of 910 completed housing units. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will accompany the President during the visit, which coincides with a three-day tour of Nyanza ahead of the Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay County. Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, alongside other senior officials, conducted a site inspection in preparation for the handover.
The LAPFUND Makasembo project, launched in 2021 as a collaboration between the Kisumu County Government and the Local Authorities Pension Fund (LAPFUND), is being developed on an 11.6-acre plot. Once completed, the project will deliver a total of 1,870 housing units and 1,754 parking spaces. Phase One includes 910 units, while Phase Two is still under construction. The forthcoming Phase Three aims to further expand affordable housing options for the lakeside city. The development targets both low- and middle-income earners, with a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, alongside supportive facilities such as preschools, daycare centers, boreholes, solar energy, landscaped gardens, and play areas.
Beyond housing provision, the project has created numerous job opportunities for local residents, including employment for jua kali artisans and construction workers. Governor Nyong’o described the project as a milestone in providing decent and affordable homes while boosting local economic activity. The commissioning in Kisumu follows a similar handover of units at Mukuru Estate in Nairobi, reflecting the government’s ongoing commitment to housing initiatives across the country. The project is expected to significantly improve living standards and contribute to sustainable urban development in Kisumu.