KMRC to host 5th Affordable Housing Conference in Naivasha

By Newsflash Writer

The Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC) will convene the fifth Kenya Affordable Housing Conference (KAHC) from August 20 to 21, 2026 at Lake Naivasha Resort in Nakuru County, bringing together key players to explore ways of expanding access to affordable and sustainable housing finance.

The conference will be held under the theme, “Scaling the Base: Unlocking Inclusive and Sustainable Housing Solutions,” as the country shifts its focus from housing supply alone to ensuring that more Kenyans can access financing to own homes.

KMRC Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Johnstone Oltetia said the conference would address the twin challenges facing the housing sector — the shortage of affordable housing units and limited access to housing finance, particularly among Kenyans with informal and irregular incomes.

“This year’s theme speaks to both the scale of the challenge and the promise before us: to close the twin gaps that constrain access at scale,” Oltetia said.

He said the conference would seek to develop solutions that are “inclusive, resilient, and built to last”, while expanding opportunities for homeownership among Kenyans.

The two-day event will bring together national and county government leaders, financial institutions, property developers, pension funds, Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs), development finance institutions, housing agencies, investors, policymakers and global experts.

Focus on inclusive housing finance

Delegates will discuss practical approaches to expanding affordable housing and housing finance, with sessions focusing on policy, financing, technology and sustainability.

The conference will examine innovative financing models for housing delivery, including blended finance, the role of development finance institutions and mortgage liquidity facilities in increasing affordable homeownership.

Participants will also explore how reforms in land administration, title regularisation and improved land governance can accelerate housing development and unlock investment across the housing value chain.

A key focus will be extending housing finance to people outside the formal employment sector. Experts from Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and India will discuss approaches for reaching informal workers, micro-entrepreneurs, SACCO members and other groups that have traditionally faced difficulties accessing mortgage financing.

The discussions are expected to highlight emerging lending models that can “broaden affordability” and strengthen the financial resilience of low- and middle-income households.

The conference will also examine how development finance institutions can mobilise capital and attract private sector investment into the housing market through catalytic financing, credit enhancement mechanisms and innovative partnerships.

Technology, sustainability and homeowners

Sustainability will feature prominently, with experts expected to examine climate-resilient housing, green buildings and the role of housing in creating healthier cities.

The sessions will explore how environmental sustainability, climate adaptation and resource efficiency can be incorporated into housing developments without making homes unaffordable.

Delegates will also receive insights into Kenya’s residential property market through presentations on the Residential Property Price Index and emerging housing trends. The data is expected to provide information on affordability, demand, investment patterns and the effectiveness of housing interventions.

Technology and innovation will form another key component of the conference. Industry leaders will discuss modern construction technologies, innovative building solutions and the application of artificial intelligence across the housing value chain.

KMRC said technology could “improve efficiency, reduce costs, accelerate project delivery and enhance access to homeownership opportunities” in rapidly urbanising markets.

The conference will further provide an opportunity for international knowledge exchange, with perspectives from Japan, India and South Africa on housing finance systems, delivery models and regulatory frameworks.

The organisers will also give homeowners an opportunity to share their experiences, including the barriers they face in achieving homeownership.

According to KMRC, these real-life stories will help ensure that policy discussions remain “grounded in the realities of Kenyan households” and focused on delivering tangible outcomes for citizens.

The conference comes as stakeholders increasingly seek to develop a housing finance ecosystem that can support large-scale homeownership while promoting financial inclusion and sustainable urban development.

The event will culminate in the inaugural Kenya Affordable Housing Awards, which will recognise primary mortgage lenders for leadership, partnerships and innovation in expanding homeownership, advancing sustainability and improving customer experience.