Over 1,000 residents of Mukuru Kwa Njenga have begun moving into newly constructed affordable housing units, with monthly payments set at Ksh.3,000 under a government-backed rent-to-own scheme. Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga detailed the payment structure during an interview on Citizen TV’s JKLive show on May 21, 2025.
The monthly payment comprises Ksh.2,800 towards home ownership and an additional Ksh.200 for insurance. This amount includes a heavily subsidized service charge of Ksh.1,000, significantly lower than the actual cost of Ksh.3,000. The government covers the remaining Ksh.2,000 to ease the financial burden on residents.
PS Hinga emphasized that the initiative aims to alleviate the “penalty of poverty,” noting that residents in informal settlements often pay disproportionately higher prices for basic services. Surveys indicate that Mukuru residents pay 172% more for water and over 140% more for electricity due to lack of proper infrastructure. Additionally, many pay to use communal toilets.
Projects Like Mukuru aimed at Restoring Dignity
The affordable housing program seeks to restore dignity to urban dwellers by providing decent housing with essential amenities. The Mukuru project, spanning 56 acres, is part of the government’s broader strategy to address housing deficits and improve living conditions in informal settlements.
Residents interested in the program are encouraged to register through the Boma Yangu platform. The government has removed the previous requirement of a 10% deposit, making it more accessible for low-income earners to own homes.
The initiative is part of the government’s commitment to delivering over 100,000 affordable housing units nationwide, aiming to reduce the housing deficit and uplift the living standards of Kenyans.
Image Credits: The Eastleigh Voice
