Real estate: What Kenyans are mostly borrowing for

According to the KNBS Economic Survey 2025, most Kenyans are borrowing to finance land acquisition, which accounts for 61.1 per cent of real estate-related loans.

This is followed by construction financing for owner-occupied homes at 48 per cent, and for rental units at 42.3 per cent.

Other areas of borrowing include incremental construction financing (22.9 per cent), construction of units for sale (21.1 per cent), and purchase of rental properties (18 per cent).

Mortgage finance also stands at 18 per cent, while graduated loans—where repayment premiums increase over time—make up just 3.7 per cent.