NAIROBI, Kenya- Lawyer Miguna Miguna has criticised the government’s affordable housing model, arguing that houses constructed through public funds and on public land should not be sold to individuals but instead be reserved for needy Kenyans through rental programmes.
In a post on X, Miguna said it was unfair for Kenyans to pay taxes to finance affordable housing projects and then be required to purchase the same homes.
“You can’t tax Kenyans, purport to construct ‘affordable homes’ and then charge Kenyans again to purchase those homes,” Miguna said.
He argued that affordable housing built through public resources should primarily benefit homeless people and low-income earners.
“Affordable homes built with public funds on public land are NOT supposed to be sold. They should be rented, firstly to the homeless/needy and those with modest incomes,” he stated.
Miguna further questioned the eligibility of wealthy individuals in accessing affordable housing units, saying millionaires and billionaires should not be allowed to acquire homes meant for vulnerable groups.
“Millionaires and billionaires don’t qualify to rent affordable homes and they must not be allowed to purchase them,” he added.
His remarks come amid ongoing debate over Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme, which was established under the Affordable Housing Act, 2024.
The law defines affordable housing as housing that costs not more than 30 per cent of a person’s income per month to rent or acquire.
The Act also provides for transfer of ownership of affordable housing units to qualified applicants upon completion of payment of the agreed price, meaning the law allows for ownership models alongside rental options.
The government has defended the programme, saying it is designed to help low-income Kenyans access decent housing and eventually become homeowners.
President William Ruto has previously said the initiative was intended to enable Kenyans who currently pay rent to transition into home ownership through mechanisms such as rent-to-own arrangements.
The Affordable Housing Programme has faced legal and political challenges, including petitions questioning aspects of the housing levy and implementation framework.
