Affordable Housing: Sector leaders advocate for strong public-private partnerships in housing finance

Speaking at the 4th Kenya Affordable Housing Conference (KAHC) in Kisumu, Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development, Alice Wahome, underscored KMRC’s contributions 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 Ksh. 21.4 billion in single-digit, fixed-rate funding with long repayment periods to primary lenders, unlocking more than 4,500 affordable home loans across 39 counties.”

The conference brought together policymakers, investors, developers, and housing experts from East Africa and beyond, including delegations from Tanzania, Uganda, India, Pakistan, and Malaysia.

KMRC CEO Johnstone Oltetia reaffirmed the company’s commitment to market-driven affordability and scalable solutions.

“We are steadfast in our mission to sustainably promote affordable housing and support the government’s vision for dignified living,” Oltetia said.

He called for stronger public-private partnerships to address financing, legal, and demographic challenges.

On his part, Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o highlighted the county’s progress in implementing affordable housing projects, positioning it as a model for county-level delivery.

“Affordable housing in Kisumu is not just about shelter, it is a tool for equity, dignity, and economic revitalization,” he said.

The county has embedded housing in its urban development strategy, partnering with LAPFUND, LAPTRUST, and the National Housing Corporation on major projects, including:

• Makasembo Estate (1,870 units)
• Anderson Ofafa Estate (1,200+ units)
• Lumumba Estate (2,384 units)
• Kanyakwar Project (2,600 units)
• Kirembe Estate

Governor Nyong’o urged counties to act as co-investors and enablers by providing land, infrastructure, and legislative support.

“The delivery of affordable housing requires a whole-of-government mindset anchored on institutionalized collaboration,” he said.

“When we align plans, budgets, and regulations, we unlock scale, efficiency, and investor confidence.”

In addition, CS Wahome outlined key reforms to streamline housing delivery, including the nationwide rollout of Ardhisasa, a digital land registry platform enhancing transparency and reducing fraud.

“Ardhisasa is more than a digital upgrade, it is the backbone of tenure security and efficient land markets,” she said.

The platform, already operational in Nairobi and Murang’a, is expanding to Mombasa, Isiolo, and Marsabit, with plans to cover all 47 counties.

She also highlighted the operationalization of the Sectional Properties Act, which allows apartment owners to hold individual titles, a critical step for financing high-density housing.

“With urban land becoming scarce, vertical development is our future,” Wahome said. “This legislation ensures such housing is bankable and legally sound.”

Representatives from Uganda, Tanzania, Malaysia, Pakistan, India, and the World Bank, emphasized the need for regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing.