The government’s Affordable Housing Programme is gaining momentum in Iten, with Phase One of a flagship project expected to significantly improve access to homeownership while reshaping the town’s infrastructure and economy.
Residents have expressed optimism about the initiative, noting that it introduces a new pathway to owning property, an opportunity previously out of reach for many.
Unlike traditional rental arrangements, where tenants pay indefinitely without gaining ownership, the project allows occupants to transition from paying rent to eventually owning their homes.
“This is beneficial because instead of paying rent to landlords without owning anything, you pay gradually and eventually the property becomes yours,” said Irene Kangogo, a lifelong resident of Iten town in Elgeyo Marakwet County, highlighting the appeal of the model.
The development, part of a nationwide programme spearheaded by President William Ruto through the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, aims to deliver modern and affordable housing units targeted at low- and middle-income earners.
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Beyond housing, the project is already catalysing infrastructure improvements. Roads leading to the site are being upgraded and tarmacked, enhancing accessibility and opening up the area for further development.
Residents note that such large-scale projects are a first for Iten, marking a shift in the town’s urban landscape.
“I had not seen projects like this before here in Iten. This is the first of its kind,” Sharon Cherono, another resident from Iten, observed.
The project is also expected to boost the local tourism economy. Iten, a globally recognised athletics hub, attracts international visitors, including tourists visiting nearby attractions such as Cheploch.
The availability of affordable housing units presents an opportunity for investors and visitors alike to own or rent property, creating a new dimension in the town’s hospitality sector.
Additionally, construction activities have generated employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers, injecting income into local households and supporting small businesses.
Timothy Kemboi, a mason working on the project since April last year, says the construction has provided steady income and transformed his livelihood.
Earning about Ksh 7,000 per week, he notes that “the job has not only kept me consistently employed but also benefited many young people in this area.”
With his earnings, Kemboi has been able to lease two acres of farmland where he grows maize, invest in farm inputs such as fertiliser, and hire two youths to assist with spraying, weeding, and guarding the crops.
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He also praised the reliability of payments, saying workers are paid every Saturday without fail, a consistency that has been maintained since he joined the project.
Officials say the initiative aligns with the government’s broader goal of addressing the national housing deficit while promoting inclusive growth.
As the project progresses, Iten is positioning itself as an emerging urban center in the North Rift, driven by strategic public investment and growing demand for modern housing.
With similar projects underway across the country, the Iten Affordable Housing Project underscores a sustained commitment to ensuring more Kenyans can access safe, decent, and affordable homes.
