BY SHABAN OMAR
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has officially inaugurated the Boma Yangu Week themed ‘Housing the Nation, Empowering the Future’ at Mvindeni in Kwale County.
The event was attended by various cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Governors from across the country as well as investors.
Mudavadi urged Kenyans to support the government’s housing project adding that it is crucial for addressing Kenya’s growing housing crisis
He said the project not only tackles the housing deficit but also empowers communities and drives economic growth.
“By providing affordable, high-quality homes, the program seeks to uplift millions of Kenyans living in substandard conditions,” he said.
Mudavadi said that housing is a fundamental right, but rapid urbanization and population growth have intensified the challenge, requiring the country to deliver 250,000 units annually.
He said currently over 124,000 units are in various stages of completion, and plans to expand mortgages are set to transform the housing landscape.
Mudavadi said the AHP plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap by leveraging economies of scale, attracting innovative investments, and ensuring affordability for all income levels.
The CS said the impact of affordable housing extends beyond housing to boosting job creation, stimulating the manufacturing sector, and involving small enterprises and the jua kali sector.
He said by investing in local industries and providing dignified homes, the AHP creates opportunities for both homeownership and economic recovery, further strengthening Kenya’s economy.
“Through initiatives like Boma Yangu Week, the program also showcases its achievements and offers Kenyans accessible means to participate in homeownership,” he said.
The CS said the AHP’s integration with broader urban and climate resilience programs, such as the Kenya Urban Support Program and the Building Climate Resilience for the Urban Poor strategy, demonstrates a holistic approach to sustainable urban development.
He said the government aims to collectively ensure that Kenya is not just housing its population but building a resilient and prosperous future for all.
Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome underscored the importance of counties fully supporting the government’s affordable housing projects.
She said that counties, through their various committees, play a pivotal role in the successful implementation of the housing initiative.
Wahome said that with the active participation of county governments, the project could achieve even greater milestones in addressing the housing challenges faced by many citizens.
“We need to accelerate our engagement with counties to ensure the project’s success,” Wahome said.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani commended the Kenya Kwanza administration for spearheading the affordable housing initiative, citing its potential to stimulate both rural and urban development.
Achani pointed out that the project not only fosters economic growth but also aligns with the constitutional mandate to provide Kenyans with decent housing.
“We acknowledge that this initiative addresses a crucial need and ensures that citizens can enjoy dignified living conditions, as guaranteed under Article 43 of the Constitution,” she said.
Achani added that many Kenyans stand to benefit from the project through both formal and informal employment opportunities. She noted that Kwale is among the counties benefiting, with the construction of various housing units currently underway.
