Affordable housing program feted in Cape Town

Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga was on hand to receive the award in Cape Town, South Africa, where he was also recognised for his immense contribution to the growth of megacities in Kenya through the Smart Cities initiative.

The State Department received the Certified Bronze Gigacity Award 2025 for successfully meeting the criteria of a Gigacity as established by the World Broadband Association (WBBA).

Speaking during the award ceremony, WBBA Director General Martin Creaner commended the State Department for the ongoing Building Code revisions, which are set to increase high-speed gigabit connectivity. This, he noted, will improve the quality of life for residents by enabling access to advanced services powered by enhanced fibre connectivity.

Gigacities are expected to boost the productivity of local businesses through fibre broadband, easing access to administrative services and promoting smart technologies.

Currently, over 214,057 housing units are under construction across all 47 counties under the Affordable Housing Programme.

PS Hinga said the housing programme is not just about providing decent housing for Kenyans but also about creating job opportunities for the youth, women, and the Jua Kali sector.

He noted that billions of shillings have been ring-fenced for the Jua Kali sector for the supply of doors and windows, while the programme has also spurred demand in the manufacturing sector for materials such as cement and steel.

“Today in Kenya, every major town has a flagship project under the Affordable Housing Programme. The programme is now a reality and has stimulated economic activities beyond the traditional brick-and-mortar workforce, focusing instead on technology and innovation,” he said.

The PS committed to replicating the Gigacities initiative in several AHP projects across the country, adding that the programme has created over 300,000 direct and indirect jobs and is on course to generate 1 million jobs over its lifecycle.