Media personality Alex Mwakideu has faced criticism on social media after praising President William Ruto’s Pioneer Affordable Housing Project in Eldoret, with Willis Raburu and comedian MCA Tricky questioning whether the development is truly affordable to ordinary Kenyans.
Mwakideu shared his views on Monday, October 19, 2026, expressing admiration for the completed housing development in Uasin Gishu County while attempting to separate his assessment of the project from politics.
“Politics aside… This Affordable Housing Pioneer project was simply amazing,” Mwakideu said.
His remarks sparked debate online, with some users focusing on the project’s facilities and scale, while others questioned whether ordinary Kenyans could afford to purchase the housing units.
Willis Raburu questions Mwakideu’s opening remarks
Media personality Willis Raburu was among those who reacted to Mwakideu’s post, taking issue with his decision to begin his statement by saying “politics aside.”
“Ati politics aside, ndugu jameni, don’t measure us,” Raburu replied.
His response added to the debate over whether government development projects can be assessed separately from the political leadership behind them.
The exchange also highlighted the divisions that often emerge when public figures comment on projects associated with the government.
MCA Tricky asks who can afford the houses
Comedian and media personality MCA Tricky also questioned Mwakideu’s praise, challenging him to clarify who the housing units were affordable to and whether he had personally acquired one.
“Affordable to who specifically? Chairman, si mtuonyeshe zenu zenye mmechukua nyinyi personally? Shiny misplaced priorities… It’s like building a bridge from your bedroom to your kitchen while at that time you can’t afford food in the house,” MCA Tricky said.
His remarks shifted attention to a central question surrounding the government’s Affordable Housing Programme: whether the intended beneficiaries can realistically afford the units while meeting other household expenses.
The criticism reflects concerns about the difference between constructing housing and ensuring that the people targeted by the programme can purchase or rent the resulting units.
Another social media user, Njambi Fever, also expressed displeasure with Mwakideu’s opening statement, replying: “Politics aside?? nkt.”
Inside the KSh5.3 billion Pioneer housing project
The Pioneer Affordable Housing Project is part of the government’s wider housing programme, which aims to increase the supply of homes and expand access to housing.
President Ruto handed over keys to 2,157 homeowners on October 18, 2026, marking the completion of the KSh5.3 billion development in Eldoret.
The estate includes 104 shops, a kindergarten, playgrounds, green open spaces, a clubhouse and a swimming pool.
Plans for additional facilities include a junior school, two basketball courts and a football pitch.
The development combines residential units with commercial and recreational amenities intended to support a community where residents can access some services and leisure facilities within the estate.
The shops could also provide opportunities for businesses serving the residents.
However, the presence of these facilities does not, on its own, establish whether the housing units are affordable to low- and middle-income households.
The bigger debate over affordable housing
Mwakideu’s remarks have reopened a wider public discussion about the affordability of government-backed housing projects.
Supporters of the programme point to completed developments, new homes and associated facilities as evidence of progress in expanding the housing supply.
Critics, meanwhile, question whether the cost of acquiring the units matches the financial circumstances of the households the programme is intended to assist.
Affordability depends on more than the appearance or quality of a development. Unit prices, deposit requirements, monthly repayments, eligibility rules and household incomes all influence whether prospective homeowners can access the homes.
The online exchange involving Mwakideu, Raburu and MCA Tricky has brought these questions into focus, although their social media remarks alone do not establish the affordability of the Pioneer units.
Ultimately, the debate goes beyond whether the Eldoret development looks impressive. It concerns whether ordinary Kenyans can realistically secure homes in such estates without placing excessive pressure on their household finances.
