Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) has so far created more than 330,000 direct and indirect jobs since its rollout in 2022, according to the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development.
In an update report, the Ministry reported that at least Ksh 11 billion was channeled to Jua Kali artisans and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in the Affordable Housing and Markets Programmes, which include businesses supplying construction materials and services.
In addition, the report showed that over 195,000 housing units are currently under development across 111 constituencies in 44 counties.
Affordable Housing Creates 330,000 Jobs
The government has also lined up new projects in Marsabit, Turkana, and West Pokot once implementation plans are finalized.
Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome stated that the housing and market projects together are revitalizing local economies by supporting supply chains, creating jobs, and providing a more dignified environment for traders and residents alike.
Also Read: Ruto Responds to Calls for Ending Affordable Housing Program
She added that communities hosting projects are benefitting from increased demand for construction inputs such as sand, cement, stones, and ballast, as well as food supplies for workers on site.
“Through this program, we have revitalized local area economies through jobs created in the communities where projects are located,” she said.
“These projects have also impacted supply chains in local areas in a big way – from those providing stones for building, kokoto (Ballast), sand, cement, and even food for workers while onsite.”
The housing programme is tied to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformational Agenda (BETA), with officials saying it has spurred growth in local economies.
On his part, Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said the programme is designed to create two jobs per unit — one directly on-site and another indirectly in the wider economy.
“We will ringfence the assembly and manufacturing of key components for our mechanical, electrical, and plumbing sectors,” he noted.
Also Read: Why Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme Is a Game Changer for Ordinary Citizens
Govt Unveils 4,888 Houses, 12,709 Security Units, 177,686 Student Beds and 400 Markets
The sale of completed units began in November 2024, with 4,888 houses released across 24 project sites.
Prospective buyers register through the Boma Yangu platform, activate their accounts with a Ksh 200 fee, and begin saving towards a 5 percent deposit of their preferred unit.
Beyond residential housing, the government is also rolling out 12,709 units for security personnel and has proposed 177,686 student housing beds under the Institutional Housing programme.
Plans are also underway to deliver 400 new markets across the country, with 237 Economic Stimulus Programme markets and 39 modern markets already at various stages of construction in 212 constituencies.
21 Metropolitan Markets are expected to be delivered under the Metropolitan Development Delivery.
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