Machakos: Plans are underway for the release of 5000 affordable housing units to the public by April 2025, Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Alice Wahome has said. The CS mentioned that preparations are being made for the houses to be ready for handing over and commissioning, with the aim of providing Kenyans, especially low-income earners, with decent and affordable housing.
According to Kenya News Agency, the state has constructed 140,000 affordable houses since the initiative began, with a target of reaching 200,000 each year and a total of 1 million over the next five years. Wahome emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that Kenyans have access to decent housing, aligning with the constitutional mandate in Article 43, which requires the state to provide citizens with affordable housing.
Wahome made these remarks while speaking to journalists in Machakos after inspecting 220 affordable housing units in Machakos town, which are 95% complete. She encouraged residents to consider purchasing these houses through the Boma Yangu platform, specifically designed for low-income earners, including small-scale traders and boda boda operators, who do not need pay slips to acquire the houses.
The affordable housing scheme offers a payment option that allows Kenyans to pay for their chosen units under a rent-to-pay arrangement, with monthly payments ranging from Sh3000 to Sh7000 for up to 25 years. Wahome disclosed that they have received Expressions of Interest from 600,000 Kenyans and are eager to finalize the deals.
Wahome highlighted that while some Kenyans may not yet understand the significance of affordable housing, its release to the public will be transformative, showcasing the importance of the housing project. She also urged Kenyans to disregard critics of the affordable housing initiative, noting that it has created over 200,000 employment opportunities for youths in Kenya as part of the government’s job creation efforts.