This archive report was first published on 18 October 2019.
On October 7, 2019, Kenya celebrated World Habitat Day, reaffirming its commitment to promote and protect human habitat. However, the country's housing crisis has made a mockery of the Constitution's guarantee of accessible and adequate housing.
The right to housing is a fundamental human right, essential for a dignified life. In Kenya, the crisis of housing has left many without a safe and secure place to call home.
According to international human rights law, Kenya is expected to respect, protect, and fulfill the right to housing. The government's Big Four Agenda, which includes delivering adequate housing, has been touted as a solution to the crisis.
However, the commodification and commercialization of housing has negated the real meaning of the right to adequate housing. As French philosopher Gaston Bachelard once said,
