MURANG’A, Kenya – The government plans to construct 500,000 affordable housing units in 2026, Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has announced, signalling an ambitious scale-up of one of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s flagship programmes.
Wahome said about 320,000 housing units have already been completed or are at various stages of construction across the country under the Affordable Housing Project.
She revealed that allocation of completed units will begin this year, even as construction of new houses continues nationwide.
“Many people initially dismissed the affordable housing programme as a pipe dream. Today, the naysayers can visit any of our ongoing projects, see them, and even touch them,” Wahome said.
The CS noted that President William Ruto has continued to launch housing projects across the country, which she said demonstrates steady progress in delivering the government’s housing agenda.
Housing levy and financing
Wahome defended the controversial Housing Levy, saying the programme is now generating about Sh65 billion annually, making it a significant revenue stream for the government.
She also backed the government’s decision to securitise public assets as a financing strategy, arguing that it enables the state to raise funds at relatively low interest rates.
“Some of the loans we have secured attract interest rates as low as one per cent,” she said, adding that such mechanisms help fast-track development while ensuring debts are repaid.
Her remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of government borrowing, following comments by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro that the state raised about Sh175 billion through the Sh7 fuel levy introduced in 2023.
Wahome maintained that innovative financing tools are necessary to sustain development, saying Kenya could achieve rapid transformation if tough policy decisions are allowed to proceed.
“The Singapore dream can become a reality, but we must allow the government to make the necessary decisions to move the country forward,” she said.
Progress on pledges and infrastructure
Speaking in Kandara constituency, Murang’a County, Wahome said the government has made progress in delivering campaign promises, citing the recruitment of more than 75,000 teachers and continued expansion of the road network.
“Since independence, Kenya has tarmacked about 28,000 kilometres of roads. By 2026, the government will raise this to 30,000 kilometres,” she said.
Constitution and elections
On constitutional reforms, Wahome opposed calls for a referendum to alter term limits for governors or the president, describing term limits as a fundamental pillar of the Constitution.
She said changing them would be complex, time-consuming and would ultimately require approval by Kenyans through a referendum.
Her comments followed recent remarks by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who suggested a referendum may be needed to address emerging governance and representation issues.
Wahome also observed that Kenya is likely to head into the next general election without a review of constituency boundaries, noting that the exercise is overdue.
However, she said elections can still proceed under the current framework as discussions on electoral reforms continue.
Community outreach
The CS made the remarks while distributing food hampers to more than 6,000 residents in the Muruka area of Murang’a County.
She urged Kenyans to care for elderly parents during the holiday season.
“If you’re blessed, ensure you share with your parents and neighbours so you can make room for more blessings to come to you,” Wahome said.
