How AHP is ushering dignity into Kenyans’ living standards

Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme is ushering in an era where dignity in life is not merely an aspiration but an attainable reality for thousands of Kenyans, consigning the scourge of urban slums to the annals of history.

This transformative initiative is redefining the boundaries of social progress by making the seemingly impossible possible at an unparalleled national scale.

The programme is through the embedded innovative policy, inclusive partnerships, and steadfast commitment, restoring hope and honour in urban communities and establishing new benchmarks for sustainable development and equitable opportunity.

Wanyonyi to reignite rivalry with Arop, Sedjati in Oslo Athletics

KSSSA Nyanza region to roll out digital player verification to curb cheating Sports

Apart from improving living standards, the affordable housing project has created opportunities and empowered many Kenyans, enabling them to earn a living by working at the construction sites.

In the Western region, especially Kakamega and Vihiga Counties, phase 1 of the AHP projects is nearing completion, with a massive number of Kenyans, especially the locals, showing interest of owning the houses.

“Phase 1 of the project here in Kakamega is almost complete at 99.5 percent, comprising of 220 housing units on high demand,” says Mr. Hebrew Kipkemoi the Department of Housing and Urban Development officer, Kakamega County.

Mr. Kipkemoi notes that most of the locals have shown interest in owning the houses located at Milimani estate with 3 categories for the interested clients and are almost fully booked.

"All these categories are applied for through the e-citizen Boma yangu platform and are normally issued on a first-come, first-served basis on the principle of 'one house, one ID," Mr. Kipkemoi explained.

He announced that construction of a larger phase 2 of the program was being worked on and a groundbreaking ceremony was planned to be held soon for the project calculated to consist of 2, 010 units that will also have malls, hotels, among other social amenities.

"Those who will miss the opportunity to own houses at the Milimani estate will have a chance to get a house in the larger phase 2 that will soon start at the Kakamega public works area," he assures.

Jackson Makhulu a businessman and resident of Lurambi sub-county in the County got an opportunity to supply construction materials at the on-going housing project which greatly boosted his business.

"I really thank President William Ruto for coming up with such an idea of the affordable housing project which has empowered most of us, especially those living at the grassroots."

"Since this project commenced in October 2023, I have been supplying some construction materials and I have managed to start up my own hardware shop through what I have been earning," Makhulu says.

Another beneficiary, Ms. Neema Eshiteshe, a food vendor and a resident of Navakholo constituency, states how she has been supplying food to the more than 350 workers at the construction site for the last one year noting that as a bread winner to his family the business has assisted him provide for them and also pay his children school fees without hitches.

"I supply food to 350 people working at the site every day. This project is of a great importance to the people living around it because it makes them earn a living," he notes.

He added that the project has mostly empowered women and youth in areas that construction is ongoing.

"Leave alone those people making reckless comments on social media platforms; these projects of the government are assisting people at the grassroots. They are of great importance to us because we earn a living out of them," Eshiteshe stresses.

Micah Chisika, a resident at Matungu, on his part confirms that the projects have made most of the youth get busy at the construction site thus avoiding involving themselves with criminal activities.

"Since it started, cases of criminal activities have drastically reduced because most youth have got job opportunities at the affordable housing construction site.

"Now that this one is completing, we are optimistic that more jobs will be available when the Kakamega phase two starts and because it's larger than this it will create more job opportunities for more people," Chisika opines.

In Vihiga County, the affordable housing project at the Ikumba sub-location is also at 98 percent, nearing completion, and encompasses 220 housing units comprising of studios, one-bedrooms, and two-bedrooms.

Hezra Agwingi, the site engineer, explains that the project kicked off on 19th September 2023 and its completion is expected by 9^th December 2025 is nigh adding that 180 clients have applied for the houses at Boma yangu and as the project completion nears more Kenyans keep showing interest.

The Director of Public Communications in the Office of Government Spokesperson, Mr. Joshua Arap Sang, notes that Affordable housing projects were ongoing across the country and the government led by President William Ruto was working towards improving the living standards of Kenyans by eradicating slums and creating empowerment opportunities to locals through boosting businesses and employment at the construction sites.

He observes that the projects were assisting in improving the economy, as most locals were able to earn a living from the construction sites, thus enabling money circulation in different areas.

"This is a good project that will eliminate slums in our country. It is a game changer to Kenyans," Mr. Sang upholds.

“I urge Kenyans to embrace Government projects and programmes, as they will take the country forward,” says the Director as he briefs journalists from the region during a four-day media projects tour organised by the Office of Government Spokesperson with the aim of publicising government projects being implemented in the region.

OGS/Munira Mandano works at the Office of Government Spokesperson