For many young graduates in Garissa, the transition from the classroom to the workplace is often marked by uncertainty. The Affordable Housing Programme in Township has changed that narrative by providing practical job training and opening pathways to long-term careers.
What was designed as a national housing initiative is increasingly becoming a platform for youth empowerment, equipping young professionals with hands-on experience while contributing to one of Kenya’s most ambitious development projects.
President William Ruto describes the internship initiative as more than temporary employment.
“This is a launchpad, it is not a stopgap, this internship,” the President said, urging beneficiaries to use the opportunity to shape their futures.
Among those embracing the opportunity is Salma Abdi, a Business Management graduate specialising in Finance. After applying online through the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, she secured an internship in the Finance Department, where she now interacts with prospective homeowners.
Every day, Salma helps clients understand the Affordable Housing Programme, guiding them through available housing units and the purchasing process.
The role has enabled her to translate classroom knowledge into practical workplace experience while building confidence in customer engagement and financial administration.
“I studied Business Management, specialising in Finance. I applied online through the Department of Housing and now I work as an intern in the Finance Department. I help guide clients and show them how to purchase units and explain the available houses,” she said.
Eng. Omar Hassan, a Diploma graduate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, said the internship has offered the practical exposure that many technical graduates struggle to find after completing their studies.
He said working alongside experienced professionals has sharpened his technical skills while exposing him to real construction projects.
“For now, I have learnt a lot because school only prepares you to a certain level. In the past two months, I have gained valuable practical experience. They also pay us on time, something we really appreciate,” Omar said.
He said the programme “goes beyond constructing homes by creating opportunities for young professionals, artisans and small businesses.”
It is helping increase the supply of decent, safe and affordable housing while supporting economic growth through construction, manufacturing and service industries.
The State Department for Housing and Urban Development said the project targets to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, with every housing unit constructed creating between three and five direct employment opportunities and up to eight indirect jobs across the value chain.
It also integrates Jua Kali artisans and local manufacturers, enabling them to supply construction materials and services while expanding opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Kenya continues to face a significant housing shortage, driven by rapid urbanisation. While the country requires approximately 200,000 new housing units every year, only about 50,000 are built annually, leaving a growing deficit.
Mrs. Salma said the Affordable Housing Programme in Garissa represents more than statistics, and government policy.
“It is providing a first step into the world of work, transforming academic qualifications into practical skills and offering hope for sustainable careers.”
“The construction is producing a generation of skilled young professionals whose futures are being constructed alongside the homes they help deliver.”
