Kenya’s Affordable Housing Board says about 45,000 homes will be ready for occupation by the end of 2026, up from 13,012 completed units as of October, according to board CEO Joe Mutugu. The board plans a further 15,000 in the first half of 2027, which would bring its priority total to about 60,000 homes by June 2027. Applicants pay a 5% deposit and are allocated a home when their project is finished.
By the 254.ke Newsroom. Updated October 27, 2026.
How many affordable houses are ready in Kenya right now?
As of October 2026, 13,012 units were complete and 7,050 were occupied, Mutugu told The Star. More than 303,900 units nationwide are either completed or under construction, and about 65 projects are being fast-tracked.
The year-end target is not new. In July, State Department for Housing and Urban Development PS Charles Hinga said the board was under a “clear directive” to deliver 45,000 units by December, followed by 15,000 more in early 2027.
| Measure | Figure (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Units complete | 13,012 |
| Units occupied | 7,050 |
| Target by end of 2026 | About 45,000 |
| Extra units, first half of 2027 | 15,000 (about 60,000 in total by June 2027) |
| Completed or under construction nationwide | More than 303,900 |
| Annual housing need, per State Department | About 200,000 units |
The gap between 13,012 finished homes and a 45,000 target leaves roughly 32,000 units to complete in about two months, a pace the board says it can meet. Mutugu rejected claims that some projects have stalled over contractor problems and said all are on course.
Who qualifies, and how much do the houses cost?
Mutugu described three tiers by monthly income:
- Social housing: for earners below Sh20,000 a month.
- Affordable housing: for earners between Sh20,000 and Sh120,000.
- Market housing: for earners above Sh150,000.
Prices were due to be reviewed from October 1. Before the review, Kenyans.co.ke reported, a one-room social unit cost Sh640,000, a two-room unit Sh960,000 and a three-room unit Sh1.28 million. An affordable studio was Sh1 million and a two-bedroom unit Sh2 million. Boma Yangu describes displayed prices as provisional, and we could not find a published revised schedule, so check the portal before you apply. Our earlier report covers the October 1 price change.
How does allocation work?
Allocation is first come, first served, with a one-ID, one-home rule. Banks and tenant purchase scheme providers help assess applications. Buyers pay a 5% deposit, and anyone who does not get the development they wanted can transfer the application to another project.
Demand far exceeds supply. The Mukuru project has about 13,000 units and drew more than 25,000 applications. A September notice put registered applicants at 1,243,254 against 128 projects. After signing a sale agreement and paying in full, buyers receive a sectional title, Mutugu said.
Where are the projects?
- Mathare Boma Yangu Phase II, Nairobi: 4,800 units in 11 blocks of a ground floor plus 14 storeys, with a workforce of about 250.
- Makuyu, Murang’a County: 764 units costing Sh1.8 billion in Maragua constituency.
- Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County: a pioneer project with beneficiaries already in place.
The Department of Housing says the programme has created more than one million jobs since 2022.
What are the criticisms and legal challenges?
The Court of Appeal recently upheld the Affordable Housing Act, 2024, which keeps the 1.5% worker levy in place. We explained what the ruling means for salaried workers.
People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has criticised the levy and pledged to scrap it if elected president next year, saying the government has “failed to adequately explain how the funds are used.” Marsabit Senator Mohammed Chute has asked the Senate Housing Committee to examine value for money, and senators want a project-by-project audit of spending, construction costs and allocation.
Affordability is the board’s central argument. “For the first time in Kenya, someone who earns Sh20,000 can afford to buy a home,” Mutugu said. He added that up to 90% of buyers already living in their homes have no trouble paying.
Frequently asked questions
How many affordable houses will be ready by December 2026?
The Affordable Housing Board expects about 45,000 units to be ready for occupation by the end of the year. As of October, 13,012 were complete.
How much is the deposit for a Boma Yangu house?
Applicants pay 5% of the unit value and are allocated a home when the project is completed.
Can I transfer my application to another project?
Yes. Buyers who do not get their expected development can move the application to another one, according to the board.
Is the housing levy still being deducted?
Yes. The Court of Appeal upheld the Affordable Housing Act, 2024, so the 1.5% levy continues for now.
Where do I apply?
Through the government’s Boma Yangu portal, which lists projects and provisional prices.
