NAIVASHA, Kenya – The government’s affordable housing programme faces a major legal and operational setback after the Council of Governors (CoG) revealed that most of the land earmarked for construction remains untitled.
Out of 540 acres submitted by counties for the national rollout, only 54 acres—just 10 per cent—have proper documentation.
The remaining parcels risk disputes and legal challenges, threatening to derail the ambitious plan that aims to ease the housing deficit nationwide.
Speaking during a CoG meeting in Naivasha, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o said the National Land Commission (NLC) must urgently issue title deeds to counties, which legally hold the land in trust for their residents.
“The transfer of land by counties to the government for affordable housing did not follow the legal procedures required by existing frameworks,” Nyong’o said.
He added that governors want 30 per cent of all units built within a county allocated to local residents.
Nyong’o warned that the projects could fail to meet basic livability standards if counties are not involved in planning critical infrastructure such as water systems, sewer lines, access roads and markets.
CoG Chair Mohammed Abdullahi said governors had already waived approval fees to lower unit costs but insisted that each project must still secure clearance from county assemblies.
“This ensures transparency and gives residents an opportunity to participate before construction begins,” he said, noting that the resolutions will be presented at the upcoming Affordable Housing Summit.
Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga reassured county leaders that the government had zero-rated stamp duty for homeowners, easing financial barriers for those seeking to purchase units.
He supported subjecting all developments to county assembly scrutiny to enhance accountability.
The discussions underscored shared concern among county bosses and national officials about the programme’s legal compliance, land governance and infrastructure readiness.
Stakeholders agreed that immediate action on land titling, budgeting for essential utilities and meaningful public participation is needed to safeguard the multibillion-shilling investment and protect beneficiaries from future disputes.
