The Government of Kenya has commended the Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC) for its pivotal role in advancing the country’s affordable housing agenda, lauding its catalytic impact on housing finance and alignment with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Speaking at the 4th Kenya Affordable Housing Conference (KAHC) held in Kisumu, Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome said KMRC had closed a critical financing gap. “KMRC is instrumental in closing the affordability gap,” said CS Wahome. “To date, it has disbursed over KSh 21.4 billion in single-digit, fixed-rate funding to primary lenders, unlocking over 4,500 affordable home loans across 39 counties.”
Themed “Revolutionizing Housing Finance: Innovation Meets Sustainability,” the two-day event brought together policymakers, investors, developers, and housing leaders from across East Africa and beyond, including delegations from Uganda, Tanzania, India, Pakistan, and Malaysia.
KMRC CEO Johnstone Oltetia emphasized the need to drive market-based affordability and scalable housing solutions through innovation.
“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 said.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o showcased Kisumu County’s leadership in the affordable housing space, citing ongoing projects such as Makasembo Estate (1,870 units), Anderson Ofafa Estate (1,200+ units), Lumumba Estate (2,384 units), and Kanyakwar (2,600 units). “Affordable housing in Kisumu is not just about shelter, it is a tool for equity, dignity, and economic revitalization,” he said.
The governor urged counties to act as co-investors by providing land, enabling infrastructure, and aligning laws with national frameworks.
“The delivery of affordable housing requires a whole-of-government mindset anchored on institutionalized collaboration,” said Nyong’o.
CS Wahome also detailed ongoing reforms including the digitization of land registries through Ardhisasa, which she termed a game-changer for land transparency and housing development. The platform is already live in Nairobi and Murang’a, with rollout underway in Mombasa, Isiolo, and Marsabit.
Additionally, she highlighted the operationalization of the Sectional Properties Act to allow apartment owners to obtain individual titles, paving the way for vertical, high-density, and bankable housing projects. “With urban land becoming scarce, vertical development is our future,” said Wahome.
International delegates and global housing finance institutions, including Cagamas, NHB, and PMRC, echoed the call for regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing, underscoring the global nature of the affordable housing challenge.
As the first day concluded, speakers emphasized the need for actionable outcomes and long-term frameworks.
“Let us institutionalize collaboration through shared frameworks, integrated platforms, and enabling legislation,” said Governor Nyong’o.
