Boma Yangu: Kenyans’ appetite for home ownership under the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) continues to strengthen, with registrations on the Boma Yangu platform surpassing the one-million mark. The milestone highlights growing public confidence in government-backed affordable housing projects and signals a structural shift in how urban housing demand is being met in Kenya.
Data from the Boma Yangu Affordable Housing Board shows that interest in AHP projects is being driven by more than price alone. Most developments are strategically located within or near major urban centres, reducing commuting time and improving access to economic opportunities.
In addition, the projects integrate essential infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and water, alongside public amenities including schools, markets, healthcare facilities, and shopping areas. This integrated planning model is making affordable housing more attractive and livable for working Kenyans.
Commenting on the milestone, Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga described the one-million registration mark as a turning point for the programme. He noted that the scale of sign-ups demonstrates that Kenyans have moved past skepticism and are now actively saving towards home ownership through the government-owned Boma Yangu portal.
According to PS Hinga, the current administration is setting a new benchmark in housing delivery. He contrasted historical delivery timelines with recent progress, noting that it previously took 15 years to deliver about 5,000 housing units in Buruburu. In comparison, the Mukuru Affordable Housing Project delivered 1,078 units within its first year and handed over 4,500 completed homes to new owners on 18 December.
The Mukuru development also includes a modern shopping complex, a Level 4 hospital, and an education complex offering pre-primary, primary, junior, and senior secondary education—illustrating the government’s shift toward fully integrated housing estates rather than standalone residential blocks.
Step-by-step guide to buying affordable housing units, features and charges
A key strength of the Affordable Housing Programme is its tiered approach, designed to serve multiple income segments. Social housing targets very low-income households earning up to KSh 20,000 per month. Affordable housing caters to low- and middle-income earners with monthly incomes between KSh 20,000 and KSh 149,000, while market-rate units are available for higher-income buyers. This structure allows the programme to address housing inequality while remaining financially sustainable.
Beyond housing delivery, AHP is emerging as a significant economic driver. There are currently more than 262,913 housing units under construction across all 47 counties. These projects directly employ about 428,000 Kenyans full-time on construction sites. In addition, an estimated one million workers are engaged full-time across supply chains, providing raw materials, fittings, logistics, and professional services linked to the housing developments.
As registrations on Boma Yangu continue to outpace available supply, the data sends a clear signal to policymakers, investors, and developers. Affordable housing in Kenya is no longer a pilot concept—it is a national demand backed by citizen commitment, economic participation, and a growing track record of delivery.
