The construction industry is increasingly turning to eco-friendly materials as a way to reduce environmental impact, promote sustainability, and create healthier living spaces. These materials minimize resource depletion, lower carbon emissions, and often improve energy efficiency in buildings. Common Types of Eco-Friendly Construction Materials Bamboo: Fast-growing and strong, bamboo is an...
June 2025
Kenya is rapidly transforming its construction sector by embracing sustainability and cutting-edge technologies. This shift is driven by the growing need to address housing shortages, reduce environmental impact, and improve construction efficiency across the country. Embracing Sustainability in Construction Environmental concerns and resource scarcity have pushed Kenyan developers and policymakers...
As Kenya faces a growing demand for affordable, sustainable, and fast-paced housing development, Innovative Building Technologies (IBTs) are gaining momentum in the construction industry. These technologies are revolutionizing traditional building methods by introducing efficiency, cost reduction, environmental sustainability, and improved quality. IBTs refer to alternative construction techniques...
For many Kenyans, owning a home is a long-term dream and mortgage plans are one of the most viable ways to achieve it. A mortgage is a loan specifically designed for purchasing property, where the property itself serves as collateral until the loan is fully repaid. In Kenya, mortgage plans are offered by commercial banks, microfinance institutions, SACCOs, and state-backed agencies like the Kenya...
Tenant Purchase Schemes (TPS) are innovative housing finance models that allow individuals to move into a house as tenants and gradually become homeowners by paying monthly installments, often over a long period. In Kenya, TPS has become a popular pathway to homeownership, especially for low- and middle-income earners who might not qualify for traditional mortgages or lack upfront capital. How the...
The Big 4 Agenda is a strategic development blueprint launched by the Government of Kenya in 2017 to accelerate the country's economic growth and improve the quality of life for its citizens. The agenda focuses on four key pillars: Affordable Housing, Universal Health Coverage, Manufacturing, and Food Security. These areas were identified as critical drivers for socio-economic progress and are aligned...
The Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) is one of the flagship initiatives under Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the government’s Big Four Agenda. Its core aim is to provide decent and affordable homes to the growing population, particularly targeting low- and middle-income earners who are often priced out of the formal housing market. Launched in 2017, the programme seeks to address the significant...
The National Housing Corporation (NHC) plays a vital role in Kenya’s housing sector. As a government agency under the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, its core mission is to provide and facilitate affordable housing across the country. Founded under the Housing Act Cap 117 in 1953, the NHC was created to address the growing need for decent shelter among Kenyans. Over the...
Public-Private Partnerships, commonly referred to as PPPs, are collaborative agreements between government entities and private sector companies aimed at delivering public services or infrastructure. These partnerships leverage the strengths of both sectors: the public sector’s regulatory oversight and the private sector’s efficiency, innovation, and investment capacity. At their core, PPPs are...
The housing levy is a government-imposed deduction aimed at financing affordable housing projects in Kenya. Introduced under the Affordable Housing Programme, the levy is part of the government’s broader plan to tackle the country’s housing shortage especially in urban areas where demand far outweighs supply. The levy has sparked significant public debate, with many Kenyans questioning its impact on...