Why John Ochieng received special mention in Ruto's Mashujaa Day speech

President William Ruto inspecting the guard of honour at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi on October 20, 2022 during Mashujaa Day celebrations. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

President William Ruto on Thursday, October 20 recognised one John Ochieng, whom he said represents the spirit of hardwork and self-belief.

The Head of State said Ochieng, a resident of Ongata Rongai in Kajiado County, rose from providing carpentry services during the construction of 734 affordable housing units in Rongai to owning one of the houses, when he (Ruto) commissioned them on Wednesday, October 18.

"We want to recreate the experience of hardworking Kenyans like John Ochieng, who is present as one of my guests today," said Ruto during his Mshujaa Day speech at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.

"I met him two days ago (Wednesday) when I handed over keys to new homeowners in Ongata Rongai in Kajiado County under the affordable housing scheme.

"Ochieng began working as a carpenter in that housing project when it began two years ago; then, home ownership to him was a mere dream. Two years later, he owns an apartment in the same estate.

"Given that there are developments today that cater to the housing needs of ordinary Kenyans like John, I am convinced that it is possible to provide quality affordable housing for rent and sale, and Ochieng's story will be replicated multiple times over throughout the country.

"We, therefore, proceed with the confidence that we will provide quality climate-smart housing that Kenyans can buy with mortgages for as low as Sh5,000 a month to be made available through various home financing arrangements."