Over 244,000 jobs created through Affordable Housing Programme – Isaac Mwaura

The government's Affordable Housing Programme has generated 244,232 jobs for Kenyans so far, according to Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura.

During his weekly media briefing on Tuesday, March 25, Mwaura highlighted that 100,000 of these jobs have been secured by graduates from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.

He also revealed that Jua Kali artisans engaged in the initiative have so far received payments totaling Sh4.4 billion.

According to Mwaura a group from Kibra has earned over Sh750 million, while groups in Ruiru and Thika have each received Sh100 million, with more payments still being processed.

Mwaura further stated that 130,988 housing units are currently under construction, with an additional 127,476 in the procurement phase.

“The increased focus on housing has also led to a drop in mortgage rates, which have declined by 6.2 percent,” he noted.

Additionally, the number of people paying monthly housing premiums below Sh10,000 has surged from 30,000 to nearly one million.

Mwaura has emphasized that more Kenyans are now able to access mortgages, a shift from when the private sector could only provide 50,000 mortgages.

To bridge the housing gap, the government has set an ambitious target of delivering 250,000 housing units annually, 50,000 from private developers and 200,000 through government initiatives.

Mwaura also announced that by the end of March, the government will commission 4,888 housing units, with plans to release over 4,000 units to the market every quarter.

The Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) remains a key government initiative aimed at providing quality and affordable housing for low- and middle-income earners.

Prospective homeowners can register on the Boma Yangu housing portal, save towards homeownership, and select their preferred housing options.

As of 2019, Kenya’s population stood at 47.5 million, with 31 percent living in urban areas.