President William Ruto on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, announced a nationwide plan to construct over 170,000-capacity student accommodation facilities.

Speaking during the official opening of the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County, the Head of State said the initiative is aimed at creating a secure, accessible, and supportive environment to enhance learners’ academic performance.

His sentiments come at a time when the education sector is facing challenges in student accommodation and the Higher Education Loans Board facilitation, putting students and parents in jeopardy. Laying the stone for the hostel’s construction, President Ruto said the project will benefit over 2000 students upon completion.

“In Homa Bay, we have broken ground for the construction of the Tom Mboya University Students’ Village, a 588-unit hostel that will host more than 2,000 students,” Ruto said.

“This is part of our commitment to ensuring every learner has a conducive space to live and study.”

Project

The Tom Mboya University project, the first-ever student accommodation to be built under the government’s Housing Programme, is expected to create over 1,500 jobs during its implementation. According to the President, this will not only improve the quality of student life but also stimulate local economies through employment opportunities.

Ruto also lauded Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga for her role in championing innovative county projects, particularly the recently completed County Government Headquarters. The President also officially opened the county’s important facility.

“We applaud Governor Gladys Wanga for being innovative in striking a partnership that has delivered the County Government of Homa Bay Headquarters. This world-class facility signals our focus on ensuring counties remain effective and efficient in working for wananchi,” he said.

Elsewhere, President William Ruto also announced a major boost to Kenya’s county governments after signing into law the County Allocation of Revenue Bill, 2025, and the County Public Finance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, at the State Lodge in Homa Bay.

The Head of State said the new law is meant to improve service delivery at the ward level. This development comes at a time when Members of the County Assembly have been decrying a lack of enough resources to initiate development projects at the grassroots.