Vietnam Tycoon Resurfaces With Another Attack On Ruto
Chau outlined five key recommendations to enhance the housing sector, reiterating that the government's role is to empower—not replace—the private sector.
Marvin Chege 
Doanh Chau, the President of Vietnam Gas, has rekindled his criticism of the Kenyan government, this time slamming President William Ruto's Affordable Housing Project.
In a detailed statement issued on Tuesday, May 20, Chau criticised the project's intent, describing it as a "long-term burden for Kenyan workers with minimal benefits."
"Kenya's housing levy is being presented as a bold solution, but in reality, it risks becoming a long-term burden on Kenyan workers with limited returns. Taxing the employed to fund state-led housing construction is not only economically regressive, it is structurally flawed," he began.
A photo of Doanh Chau, President of Vietnam Gas. /LINKEDIN
Although he acknowledged the initiative as an ambitious move, the business magnate raised concerns about the framework of public housing programs, pointing to widespread issues commonly linked with such schemes and warning that Kenya appeared to be heading down a similar path.
“Public housing schemes, without transparency and strong institutional capacity, often produce substandard results: poor-quality units, misallocation of funds, and socially isolated communities. We've seen this pattern across many countries, and Kenya risks repeating it,” he opined.
Chau drew a comparison between Kenya and Somalia, citing Somalia as a model for effective public housing and emphasising the significant role played by the private sector in its success.
“Through self-organisation, private capital, and diaspora investment, they've built entire neighbourhoods, efficient, affordable, and community-driven, without heavy reliance on state funding,” he expressed.
“Their model proves that when empowered, the private sector and civil society can achieve far more than bloated public programmes."
As a result, Chau outlined five key recommendations to enhance the housing sector, reiterating that "the government's role is to empower—not replace—the private sector."
The President of Vietnam Gas and Energy urged the government to prioritise investment in public infrastructure such as roads, water systems, sewage, and public transit, alongside the development of master plans and zoning regulations that genuinely serve public needs.
He also called for a more efficient approval process, improved access to land, and strategic partnerships with reputable developers rather than sidelining them. Additionally, Chau warned against raising taxes, emphasising the importance of governance reforms over financial burdens.
His remarks came on the same day President Ruto presided over the handover of 1,080 newly completed housing units at the Mukuru Meteorological Site in Nairobi—a major milestone in the affordable housing initiative.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Ruto joined Mukuru residents in celebration, assuring them that the housing units would be equipped with essential infrastructure to support a dignified life for low-income families. With over 13,000 units planned for the Mukuru area, Ruto hailed the handover as "the most consequential day" of his political journey.
Chau first went viral in Kenya after he openly called out the Kenyan government for arguably its biggest flaw: all big talk but no execution, revealing that he discovered one serious problem, a tough truth pill for those holding positions of power to swallow; that Kenya does not suffer from a lack of ideas or talent but suffers from a chronic execution deficit.
