President William Ruto has given a directive for the renaming of one of Nairobi’s oldest estates, Shauri Moyo, in honour of the late Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament (MP) Johana Nge’no.

Speaking on Friday, March 6, 2026, during the burial of the late legislator, the Head of State said the move was in recognition of his role in championing the affordable housing initiative.

According to Ruto, the estate will be renamed Johana Ng’eno Boma Yangu Estate, in appreciation of Ng’eno’s leadership and commitment to ensuring the success of the housing project.

“Because Johana Ng’eno was the chairman who ensured that we succeeded in the housing project, we have recommended that one of the biggest estates in Nairobi, called Shauri Moyo, be named after Johana Ng’eno Boma Yangu Estate,” he announced.

Ruto has directed the Lands and Housing Ministry, led by Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, to immediately initiate the renaming process, which will see Shauri Moyo Housing Estate rebranded.

“Therefore, I am directing the Ministry of Housing to rename Shauri Moyo to Johana Ngeno estate in the city of Nairobi,” Ruto directed.

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris had earlier suggested that one of the estates be named after Johana Ng’eno for his contribution to the Affordable Housing agenda.

Earlier, during a visit to the home of the late MP, Ruto explained why he appointed him as the Chair of the Housing and Public Works Committee in the National Assembly.

While visiting the family of the late MP in Karen on Monday, March 2, 2026, the Head of State, while paying his condolences, began by hailing the contributions Ng’eno made, which saw affordable housing programmes sprout across the country despite opposition.

He stated that when appointments to various committees were being made, he chose the third-term lawmaker because he knew that if persuaded, Ng’eno would deliver effectively.

“When I was going through people who would chair different committees, I settled on Ngeno because I knew when I persuaded him to do it, he would do it, and there will be no looking back,” Ruto stated.

Ruto added that after rolling out the affordable housing programmes, which he considers to be the most critical programmes he has initiated during his administration, many leaders came to him urging him to stop, warning that it would make him unpopular.

However, according to Ruto, Ng’eno, as the parliamentary committee chair implementing the housing programme, never discouraged him. Instead, Ng’eno would always urge the president to continue, insisting it was the right course of action.

“Many people came to me saying that, Mr President, you should drop this thing; it’s very difficult, and it will make you unpopular, but out of all the people, Ng’eno was not among them.”

Housing committee

The president further extended his gratitude to the members of the Housing Committee, who were led by Ng’eno, noting that when he eventually sits down to write his memoirs, a chapter will be reserved for them.

During the president’s visit to the home of the late Karen, he eulogised the late, stating.

“Mheshimiwa, you did your best. You contributed to the welfare of the community, the nation and humanity. Condoled with the family of my friend, the late Mheshimiwa Johana Ng’eno, at their Karen home. May we draw comfort from the word of the Lord in Psalm 147:3: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”