NAIROBI, Kenya—More than 13 million Kenyans are unaware of the government’s Affordable Housing Program, one of President William Ruto’s flagship projects aimed at providing affordable homes and creating jobs.
A new Kenya Housing Survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) reveals that 46.4% of respondents lacked awareness of the program, with rural areas showing the highest information gap.
Counties such as Wajir (95.2%), Lamu (93.5%), Isiolo (92.8%), and Mandera (90.1%) recorded the lowest awareness levels.
In contrast, 53.5% of Kenyans had some knowledge of the program, including incentives like affordable housing tax relief—set at 15% of gross pay, capped at Ksh. 9,000 monthly or Ksh. 108,000 annually.
The survey also found that 95.5% of Kenyans were unaware of tax deductions available for housing loans.
This provision allows individuals and businesses to deduct interest paid on home loans from their taxable income, reducing the overall tax burden.
The Affordable Housing Program is a key priority for the Ruto administration, which aims to construct at least 250,000 houses annually.
However, the initiative has faced legal challenges, including a High Court case that briefly halted the 1.5% housing levy on workers’ salaries, a deduction matched by employers.
Critics argue the program benefits the wealthy more than ordinary Kenyans.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has openly questioned its transparency, alleging that contractors must purchase materials from pre-selected suppliers linked to government officials.
“We initially believed the President when he said it was about job creation,” Gachagua said on Monday at the unveiling of the DAP Party’s headquarters in Nairobi. “But it turns out to be a business deal—you must buy cement, metal, and roofing sheets from designated companies.”
Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome dismissed Gachagua’s allegations, challenging him to provide evidence to anti-corruption agencies.
“The procurement process is public. If the former DP has proof of wrongdoing, let him present it to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC),” Wahome said on Wednesday in Machakos.
The government insists the program will address Kenya’s housing deficit and stimulate job creation, but the survey’s findings raise concerns about public awareness and trust in the initiative.
