The ministry said the programme is being implemented through the Boma Yangu housing platform, where citizens register using their national identification documents and eCitizen accounts. Once registered, applicants begin contributing savings toward home ownership through a structured payment system that allows them to gradually pay for houses over a period of up to 30 years.

Government officials explained that the initiative was introduced to address Kenya’s growing housing shortage, especially in urban areas where many families struggle with high rent prices and the rising cost of property ownership. The programme targets workers, young professionals, small business owners, and ordinary citizens who have traditionally been unable to secure mortgage financing from commercial banks.

According to the ministry, thousands of housing units have already been completed in counties including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kiambu, Machakos, Nyeri, Meru, Kakamega, and several other regions. Construction work is also continuing in additional locations as the government seeks to increase the number of affordable homes available to citizens.

Through the Boma Yangu system, applicants can track their savings, apply for available housing projects, monitor allocations, and receive updates about construction progress. Citizens are able to make payments using mobile money services, bank transfers, debit cards, or other approved payment channels. Officials say the system was designed to make the process more transparent and accessible.

The Kenyan government has described the housing programme as one of its major national development projects. Authorities argue that besides helping families obtain homes, the initiative is also creating employment opportunities in the construction industry and boosting local businesses that supply building materials and services.

However, the programme has also attracted criticism from some sections of the public and opposition leaders. Critics have questioned the affordability of some housing units and raised concerns about mandatory housing levy deductions introduced by the government to help finance the projects. Supporters of the programme, on the other hand, argue that the initiative will eventually improve living standards and reduce the country’s housing deficit.

Despite the debate, the government insists that the Affordable Housing Programme remains an important long-term solution to Kenya’s housing challenges and says more projects will continue to be launched in different parts of the country in the coming years.