A New Border Era: Ruto Announces Smart City and Housing Units in Malaba

President William Ruto says the government will construct a new smart city in the border town of Malaba to improve cross-border trade efficiency and expand modern residential developments.

The proposed infrastructure initiative, reported by Citizen Digital, includes the development of 2,000 affordable housing units aimed at transforming urban planning along the Kenya-Uganda border.

Government officials expect the multi-billion shilling development to ease severe transit congestion, modernise commercial logistics, and provide quality housing for thousands of border-town residents and cross-border workers.

What Happened?

The planned border facility will feature dedicated commercial zones, streamlined customs infrastructure, and modern public amenities to support rising commercial traffic through Busia County. A central element of the development is the construction of 2,000 housing units under the national affordable housing programme, designed to accommodate local workers, traders, and border agency staff.

Malaba serves as a critical entry point for the Northern Corridor, handling thousands of cargo trucks every day that connect the Port of Mombasa to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Why It Matters

Border towns along the Northern Corridor have long struggled with informal settlements, poor urban sanitation, and massive truck delays stretching several kilometres along major transport arteries. The investment aims to integrate commercial customs operations with structured urban planning, ensuring economic growth along the corridor translates into improved living standards for residents.

Housing experts say establishing planned residential communities at major border points reduces urban sprawl, lowers rent burdens, and provides essential services such as clean water, electricity, and formal security.

Who Is Affected?

Small-scale traders, clearing agents, and transport operators stand to gain from modernised commercial infrastructure and reduced border clearance delays. Local residents in Malaba and surrounding areas will gain access to formal housing developments under the government scheme, alongside short-term construction jobs during the building phase.

Regional logistics firms driving trade through East Africa are likely to see improved transit times once the integrated commercial and urban facilities become fully operational.

What Comes Next?

The government is expected to outline project timelines, site allocations, and tender details for the residential and commercial phases in Busia County. Ministry of Housing officials and local county authorities will coordinate land access, infrastructure connections, and community engagement before initial construction begins.

M360 News will track the rollout of the project, including funding allocations, construction progress, and the delivery of the promised affordable housing units.