Kwale hosts Kenya's inaugural affordable housing week

Kenya has officially launched its inaugural Affordable Housing and Urbanisation Week, with the government highlighting its commitment to providing affordable housing for all Kenyans.

The week-long event, held at Mvindeni Grounds in Kwale County, aims to address the country’s growing housing challenges while promoting sustainable urbanisation.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, speaking on behalf of President William Ruto, emphasized the government's dedication to transforming housing and urbanisation in Kenya.

The theme for the week, ‘Housing the Nation, Empowering the Future’ reflects the government's ambition to ensure that every Kenyan has a home to call their own.

"Our goal is not just to build houses, but to uplift communities and lay the foundation for sustainable prosperity," Mr Mudavadi said during the event.

The Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) is a key component of the government's Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (Beta), which aims to improve living standards, boost local economies, and create sustainable communities.

Mr Mudavadi reiterated that accessible and adequate housing is a constitutional right and promised the government’s unwavering commitment to fulfilling this right despite the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation and population growth.

Kenya is currently grappling with a significant housing shortage, producing just 50,000 units annually, far below the target of 250,000.

This shortfall has left many Kenyans living in inadequate conditions, with limited access to essential services such as water and sanitation.

To address this, the government has introduced several initiatives. 

One such initiative is expanding mortgage access from 30,000 to 1 million, making home ownership more affordable, with monthly payments as low as Sh3,000. These measures are aimed at making homes more accessible to ordinary Kenyans, especially those in low and middle income brackets.

PCS Mudavadi also highlighted the role of local industries in the success of the Affordable Housing Programme.

Over Sh4.4 billion has been allocated to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and the jua kali sector, he noted.

These efforts are driving job creation and stimulating innovation, particularly in the production of housing materials.

“By empowering local industries, we are not only meeting the housing demand but also creating jobs and supporting economic growth,” Mr Mudavadi said.

Adding that artisans in the informal sector are now producing steel doors, windows, and curtain rods, which are essential for the housing projects.

As Kenya’s population is projected to reach 48 million by 2050, with over half expected to live in urban areas, the demand for housing is set to rise dramatically.

To prepare for this growth, the government is implementing the second phase of the Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP II), aimed at enhancing urban infrastructure and institutional capacity in 79 municipalities across 45 counties.

The government is also prioritising climate resilience in its urbanisation strategy. 

During the inaugural Africa Climate Summit, President Ruto launched the Building Climate Resilience for the Urban Poor (BCRUP) Strategy, which seeks to protect vulnerable communities from the impacts of climate change.

The strategy has already mobilised USD 6 billion in resources for its first phase, which covers 14 African countries.

Mr Mudavadi concluded by reiterating that the AHP, along with initiatives such as KUSP II and BCRUP, represents the government’s long-term commitment to building a sustainable future for Kenya.

“Together, we are creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and empowering communities,” he said. 

“Let us stay united in this common endeavour to achieve a future that we can all be proud of.”