At least 3,900 acres of land has been secured for the construction of affordable houses across the country.
President William Ruto said 39 counties have also agreed to work with the national Government in pursuing the project.
He said a minimum of 200,000 houses will be built every year, translating to at least 1,000,000 houses by 2027.
“It is the responsibility of my Government to create inclusive and affordable housing for all,” he said.
He made the remarks on Friday in Kamukunji during the ground-breaking ceremony for the proposed Shauri Moyo ‘A’ affordable housing project in Nairobi County.
The Shauri Moyo Project will provide 3,248 housing units consisting of one, two and three-bedroom units with selling prices starting at Ksh.1.25 million.
According to Habitat.org, Kenya has an annual housing demand of 250,000 units with an estimated supply of 50,000 units, culminating in a housing deficit of 2 million units, or 80% deficit.
Housing affordability is a key challenge in Kenya with many people unable to afford to buy or build their own home. Only 2% of the formally constructed houses target lower-income families.
About 6.4 million people, or of Kenya’s urban population live in informal settlements. Also, 68% of Kenyans are without land documentation or tenure security.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Lands CS Zacharia Mwangi, Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan, among other leaders, were present.
Gachagua, on his part, noted that the affordable housing projects will address Kenya’s housing deficit while creating job opportunities for locals.
“It will also create employment and improve the living standards of millions of underprivileged Kenyans,” he explained.
When he made his remarks, Sakaja called on the Government to intensify the issuance of title deeds to landowners in Nairobi as proof of ownership.
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