Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme, a flagship project of the Kenya Kwanza administration, is not only changing skylines but also changing lives. At its core are women and youth who are seizing new opportunities in construction, supply chains, and entrepreneurship.
At the Lumumba Affordable Housing site in Kisumu County, work is in full swing. The project, launched by President William Ruto in May 2023, will deliver 2,348 housing units by January 2026. Behind the cranes and concrete are close to 1,500 workers who clock in daily. Many are young people and women who once faced years of joblessness. Around them, food vendors and small businesses are thriving, creating a ripple effect of economic growth.
In Eldoret, the Pioneer Affordable Housing site tells a similar story. Here we meet Ochieng’ Lwanda, a final-year Geography student at Moi University. He has taken up welding and fabrication, gaining skills while earning an income. His journey mirrors that of many others learning trades such as plumbing, metalwork, and project management skills that will outlast the construction itself.
These Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are now calling for a faster rollout of housing projects to ensure long-term sustainability. For them, affordable housing is more than shelter it is a platform for empowerment.
Already, completed sites in Soy, Emgwen, and Vihiga constituencies showcase the results. Each features 220 homes, ranging from studio units to two-bedroom apartments. Beyond providing affordable homes, these projects are injecting life into local economies and giving communities renewed hope.
Kenya’s Affordable Housing drive is proving to be more than bricks and mortar. It is a story of dignity, opportunity, and prosperity powered by women and youth who are turning challenges into stepping stones for a brighter future.
