This archive report was first published on 5 October 2021.
Kenya's housing crisis continues to worsen, with the country requiring over 300,000 units every year to meet the rising demand in urban areas, as stated by the State Department for Housing.
Speaking in Nakuru County, Deputy Director of Housing Antony Ng'ang'a noted that failure to address the shortage could lead to an increase in informal settlements in urban areas due to rural-urban migration.
Ng'ang'a emphasized the government's commitment to addressing the issue through the construction of affordable houses in major towns, stating, 'We are on course in the construction of the affordable houses which will partially address the rising demand.'
During a tree planting exercise in Olkaria Naivasha, Ng'ang'a identified lack of affordable land and the emergence of slums as major challenges facing the country.
Nakuru County Director of Housing Bernard Maina announced that the county is currently constructing 605 units in Bondeni, with the affordable houses expected to be ready in 18 months and civil servants set to be the first beneficiaries.
Additionally, Maina revealed plans to construct another 2,000 units near Naivasha prison, citing over 100 acres of land acquired by the county where dilapidated houses belonging to defunct municipal councils pose a challenge to starting new projects.
Acting Director of Geothermal Development at Kengen, Pekesa Mangi, highlighted the region's commitment to producing clean energy, stating, 'Kengen is committed to producing clean energy that is free from carbon emission as part of making cities and towns better places to live in.'
