Kisumu, Kenya 7–8 August 2025
Transformative Gathering
The 4th Kenya Affordable Housing Conference (KAHC) brought together national and county leaders, developers, lenders and global housing experts to chart the future of affordable housing in Kenya. Held under the theme “Revolutionizing Housing: Innovation Meets Sustainability,” the event was a vibrant platform for dialogue, policy alignment and showcasing practical solutions to Kenya’s housing challenges. It convened policymakers, investors, developers and housing leaders from East Africa and beyond, including delegations from Tanzania, Uganda, India, Pakistan and Malaysia.
The opening plenary featured keynote addresses from:
- Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, EGH, Governor, Kisumu County & Chair, Council of Governors Committee on Housing
- Hon. FCPA John Mbadi Ng’ong’o, EGH, Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury and Economic Planning
- Hon. Alice Wahome, Cabinet Secretary, Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development
- Mr. Charles Hinga, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Housing and Urban Development
The Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development Hon. Alice Wahome emphasized KMRC’s indispensable role in delivering dignified, accessible housing under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“KMRC is instrumental in closing the affordability gap,” said CS Wahome. “To date, it has disbursed over Kes. 21.4 billion in single digit, fixed-rate funding with long repayment period to primary lenders, unlocking more than 4,500 affordable home loans across 39 counties.”
Government Commitment
Affordable housing remains a cornerstone of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The Government of Kenya, through the National Treasury and Economic Planning, committed €4 million (KES 603 million) to capitalize the Kenya Mortgage Guarantee Trust (KMGT), reinforcing efforts to unlock housing finance for informal-income households, through the Risk Sharing Facility.
The announcement was made by Cabinet Secretary Hon. FCPA John Mbadi Ng’ong’o, EGH, during his keynote address at the 4th Kenya Affordable Housing Conference (KAHC) in Kisumu.
This initiative complements a financing milestone by the Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC), which, with Treasury support, has mobilized concessional funding which has been blended with domestic bond proceeds to offer single-digit fixed interest rate home loans.
“Sustainable housing finance must move beyond traditional budget allocations,” said CS Mbadi. “We must leverage tools like mortgage-backed securities, bonds, and blended finance to mobilize long-term capital and deepen market liquidity.”
Other significant elements include:
- KES 120.2 billion allocated in FY2025/26
- Tax reliefs for incremental builders
- Credit guarantees for low-income borrowers
- Capital Markets development
Counties in Action
In his remarks, Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, who is also the Chair, Council of Governors Committee on Housing, called for a whole-of-government approach to housing delivery. He urged County governments to:
- Provide titled, serviced land
- Integrate housing into development plans
- Coordinate effectively with national agencies
“The delivery of affordable housing requires a whole-of-government mindset anchored on institutionalized collaboration,” said Prof. Nyong'o. “When we align plans, budgets, and regulations, we unlock scale, efficiency, and investor confidence.”
A highlight of the conference is the guided tour of Kisumu’s flagship housing developments in Makasembo, Anderson-Ofafa, and Lumumba Estate where delegates will witness how policy is being translated into real homes for Kenyans. These site visits bring policy to life, demonstrating how national programmes and county partnerships are delivering tangible outcomes.
Scorecard Snapshot
- 170,000 units under construction
- KES 180 billion in ongoing projects
- KES 750 billion in pipeline
- 300,000 jobs created
- 4,000 internships advertised for young professionals