Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged African countries to adopt Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) as a feasible and expandable approach to address the continent’s growing urban housing challenges.
Addressing the closing session of the second Africa Urban Forum at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre on Friday, Professor Kindiki emphasized the critical need for providing adequate and affordable housing, characterizing it as a foundational element of sustainable development rather than merely a political aspiration.
Speaking to representatives from various African nations, the Deputy President stressed the necessity of decisive leadership in converting housing promises into tangible outcomes. He observed that although affordable housing has been a significant topic in Kenya’s political conversations since 2002, previous governments frequently struggled to deliver due to political opposition and practical difficulties.
‘In 2022, President William Ruto took a firm stance to implement the housing agenda and directly tackle the related political challenges,’ stated Kindiki. ‘Kenya has made our decisionwe have opted for action instead of delay. We call upon the remainder of the continent to proceed with comparable determination and commitment.’
The Deputy President highlighted significant accomplishments under the initiative, noting its expanding effects on both housing provision and economic advancement.
He disclosed that around 270,000 housing units are now in advanced stages of development, representing a portion of the government’s ambitious objective to construct one million affordable dwellings.
In addition to housing, the programme has become a substantial source of employment. Kindiki reported that the initiative has generated opportunities for approximately 600,000 previously unemployed Kenyans, with intentions to increase this number to one million young people in the subsequent stage.
The Deputy President also drew attention to the programme’s robust local involvement structure, pointing out that among the 800 contractors managing projects worth more than $5 billion, 799 are Kenyan-owned enterprises. This, he explained, guarantees that the economic advantages of the initiative remain within the national economy while simultaneously enhancing local expertise in the construction field.
Kindiki additionally urged African leaders to prevent the Nairobi Declaration adopted during the forum from meeting the same fate as numerous continental agreements that falter during implementation.
‘The pledges we have made here must transcend mere documents. They must manifest in completed projects, constructed homes, and improved lives,’ he stated.
He emphasized the value of consistent policies and protective measures to secure long-term development initiatives from political changes, indicating that authorities are implementing intentional measures to establish the housing agenda within enduring structures.
As the forum concluded, Kenya presented its Affordable Housing Programme not simply as a construction effort, but as an all-encompassing development mechanismcapable of promoting economic expansion, generating employment, and restoring dignity to countless urban residents.
The communication from Nairobi was clear: Africa’s housing predicament requires decisive measures, and Kenya is presenting a model that could assist in converting aspirations into actuality.