Housing Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome addressing delegates at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel, Kisumu, during the first day of the 4TH Affordable Housing Conference on Thursday, August 7, 2025. Photo/Newsflash
By Newsflash Writer
Kisumu, Kenya – August 7, 2025 — The Government has commended the Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC) for its transformative role in accelerating the country’s affordable housing program.
Speaking during the 4th Kenya Affordable Housing Conference (KAHC) held at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu, Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome lauded KMRC as a critical catalyst in the realization of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“KMRC is instrumental in closing the affordability gap,” Wahome said.
“To date, it has disbursed over KSh21.4 billion in single-digit, fixed-rate financing with long repayment terms to primary lenders, facilitating over 4,500 affordable home loans across 39 counties,” she said.
Themed “Revolutionizing Housing Finance: Innovation Meets Sustainability,” the two-day conference brought together policymakers, investors, developers, and housing experts from across East Africa and beyond. Delegations from Uganda, Tanzania, India, Pakistan, and Malaysia joined their Kenyan counterparts in exploring scalable solutions to the region’s housing challenges.
Read more: Kisumu to host the 4th Kenya Affordable Housing Conference
KMRC CEO Johnstone Oltetia, in his opening address, affirmed the firm’s dedication to driving market-based affordability and promoting innovative, sustainable housing finance models.
“At KMRC, we are steadfast in our mission to sustainably promote affordable housing and to support the Government of Kenya’s vision for dignified living,” Oltetia said. “This conference must serve as a springboard for real transformation—where innovation and sustainability walk hand in hand to build homes, uplift families, and empower communities.”
He emphasized the need for institutionalized public-private partnerships and encouraged all stakeholders to collaboratively address financing, legal, and demographic barriers hindering housing delivery.
Kisumu’s model for County-Level Housing
Host Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o used the opportunity to highlight Kisumu’s leadership in implementing the affordable housing agenda at the county level, positioning the region as a beacon for decentralized delivery.
“Affordable housing in Kisumu is not just about shelter, it is a tool for equity, dignity, and economic revitalization,” he said. “We have embedded housing in our urban development strategy and partnered with LAPFUND, LAPTRUST, and the National Housing Corporation on large-scale projects.”
Ongoing projects in the county include:
- 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 stressed the importance of counties acting as co-investors by providing land, enabling infrastructure, and harmonizing legal frameworks. He called for a “whole-of-government mindset” to eliminate friction between national and county governments and accelerate delivery.
“When we align plans, budgets, and regulations, we unlock scale, efficiency, and investor confidence,” he said.
Policy and legal reforms in motion
CS Wahome outlined several reforms and digital innovations being implemented to support the affordable housing vision. Chief among them is the ongoing digitization of land records through the Ardhisasa platform—a centralized, secure land information system aimed at enhancing transparency and reducing fraud.
“Ardhisasa is more than a digital upgrade; it is the backbone of tenure security and efficient land markets,” Wahome said. The platform is currently operational in Nairobi and Murang’a and is being rolled out in Mombasa, Isiolo, and Marsabit, with plans to cover all 47 counties.
She also highlighted the operationalization of the Sectional Properties Act, which enables apartment owners to obtain individual titles—a crucial move in unlocking financing for high-density developments.
“With urban land becoming scarce, vertical development is our future,” she noted. “This legislation ensures such housing is bankable and legally sound.”
Regional and global commitment
Delegates from countries including Uganda, Tanzania, Pakistan, India, and Malaysia echoed the importance of regional cooperation and cross-border knowledge exchange. International housing finance institutions such as Cagamas, NHB, and PMRC participated in discussions, reinforcing the global nature of the housing challenge.
“Your presence enriches this conversation and affirms that the housing challenge and its solutions transcend borders,” Wahome told the international attendees.
As the first day of the conference concluded, the prevailing message was clear: Kenya’s affordable housing revolution demands urgency, collaboration, and a commitment to action.
Read more: Co-op Bank, Optiven & Everstrong launch integrated housing
“This conference must be remembered not just for speeches but for forging the partnerships and innovations that will shape housing for generations,” said Oltetia.
Governor Nyong’o echoed the sentiment, urging all stakeholders to institutionalize collaboration through shared frameworks, integrated platforms, and enabling legislation.
“Only then will we build not just homes but inclusive, thriving communities,” he concluded.
The two-day Kenya Affordable Housing Conference ends tomorrow, August 8, 2025.
About the Author
