The government has announced plans to deliver 60,000 affordable housing units over the coming months as it seeks to address Kenya’s growing housing demand.
State Department for Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said the Affordable Housing Board has been directed to complete 45,000 housing units by December this year, with an additional 15,000 units expected to be delivered early next year.
“The Affordable Housing Board is under clear directive to deliver 45,000 units between now and December and a further 15,000 units early next year,” Hinga said.
He noted that demand for affordable homes has risen significantly, dismissing criticism directed at the government’s housing programme.
According to Hinga, approximately 300,000 housing units are currently under construction across the country as part of efforts to reduce Kenya’s housing shortage.
Kenya faces an estimated annual housing deficit of 200,000 units, a challenge worsened by an urbanisation rate of about 4.4 per cent.
Hinga said the government is developing the houses on public land to keep prices within reach of ordinary Kenyans, arguing that the cost of acquiring land remains one of the biggest contributors to expensive housing.
He cited a 2017 World Bank report which indicated that the average cost of a house in Kenya stood at Sh11 million, making home ownership unattainable for many citizens.
The Principal Secretary added that the Affordable Housing Board is absorbing the cost of key infrastructure, helping reduce the overall cost of the units.
Hinga also dismissed reports suggesting that withdrawals from the Boma Yangu voluntary savings platform had exceeded deposits.
He said the platform has recorded substantial growth since the last audit, with cumulative savings rising from Sh2.47 billion in May 2025 to Sh5.47 billion.
“Since the audit cut-off of May 2025, cumulative savings on the platform have more than doubled, from Sh2.47 billion to Sh5.47 billion. Registered users have grown from 1.02 million to 1.26 million Kenyans, and at any given time about 30 per cent of registered users are actively saving toward units they wish to own,” Hinga said.
His remarks come after reports claimed that refunds from the Boma Yangu scheme had overtaken savings following withdrawals amounting to Sh2.56 billion.
Affordable Housing Board Chief Executive Officer Joe Mutugu said the programme continues to attract increasing interest from Kenyans.
“The biggest challenge is the high demand because the programme is real,” Mutugu said.
