Scale homeownership for sustainability
Affordability can no longer be measured only by the purchase price of a home.
For most Kenyans, owning a home is more than a financial milestone. It is a source of dignity, security and stability. It is where families are raised, wealth is built and communities take root. Yet homeownership remains out of reach for millions of hardworking Kenyans.
As stakeholders in the housing ecosystem prepare for the Kenya Affordable Housing Conference (KAHC) 2026, the overarching issue is clear: how do we scale the base by unlocking inclusive and sustainable housing solutions that expand access, deepen affordability and respond to the realities of households? The challenge is significant. Kenya faces a substantial housing deficit, driven by rapid urbanisation, population growth and a mismatch between housing supply and demand. At the same time, access to affordable, long-term housing finance remains limited, particularly for low- and middle-income households.
Yet there is reason for optimism. In recent years, Kenya has made progress in elevating affordable housing as a national development priority. Through partnerships between the government, the private sector, development finance institutions and investors, housing projects are emerging across the country, creating jobs, stimulating economic activity and expanding housing opportunities for thousands of families.
Housing is not only a social priority. It is an economic catalyst. Every house built supports employment across manufacturing, construction, transport, financial services and retail. The housing sector is, therefore, one of the most powerful levers for inclusive economic growth and improved quality of life.
However, buildings alone will not solve the housing challenge. Without affordable financing, many completed units will remain beyond the reach of the Kenyans they are intended to serve. This is where Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC) plays a critical role. KMRC was established to strengthen Kenya’s housing finance market by addressing one of its biggest constraints: access to long-term funding. By providing long-term, fixed-rate refinancing to primary mortgage lenders, including banks and saccos, KMRC enables lenders to offer more affordable mortgage loans with longer repayment periods.
The impact of this extends beyond the financial sector. When lenders have access to sustainable long-term capital, they can offer financing better aligned to household incomes. This makes homeownership more accessible to teachers, healthcare workers, civil servants, entrepreneurs and many other Kenyans seeking to build a more secure future.
Yet even as we recognise the progress, the future of housing finance demands a broader conversation. A significant proportion of Kenya’s workforce earns its livelihood through entrepreneurship, farming, self-employment and other forms of non-salaried work. These Kenyans contribute enormously to the national economy, but many remain underserved by conventional mortgage products designed around formal employment.
To expand homeownership, we must rethink how income is assessed, how risk is managed and how housing finance products are designed. We must embrace innovative models that recognise the diversity of today’s workforce while maintaining sound credit standards. This is one of the key conversations that the KAHC 2026 will advance. The summit will bring together policymakers, devolved governments, financiers, developers, development partners, investors and housing practitioners to explore practical solutions for scaling affordable homeownership across Kenya.
Discussions will examine emerging financing models, mortgage market development, tenant-purchase schemes, policy reforms and the role of technology in expanding access.
Importantly, the conference will examine the link between affordable housing and sustainability. As climate risks intensify, affordability can no longer be measured only by the purchase price of a home.
A truly affordable home must also be energy-efficient, resilient and economical to maintain over its life cycle. The homes we build must serve families sustainably for decades.
This shift creates an opportunity to accelerate green housing finance, innovative construction technology and resource-efficient building solutions. By aligning housing policy, investment and financing with sustainability objectives, Kenya can improve housing outcomes while lowering long-term costs for households.
Achieving this will require collaboration at scale. Financial institutions must continue to innovate. Developers must work with financiers to deliver homes that reflect diverse income realities. County governments must strengthen planning, land administration and infrastructure delivery. Development partners and investors must help unlock blended finance mechanisms that can scale housing delivery and reduce risk.
No institution can solve Kenya’s housing challenge alone. The Kenya Affordable Housing Conference 2026, therefore, comes at a defining moment. It is not simply a forum for discussion. It is a platform to forge partnerships, align priorities and commit to practical action.
Ultimately, success will not be measured by the number of conversations held, but by the number of families whose lives are transformed through homeownership. If we work together, Kenya can build a housing finance system that is more inclusive, more innovative and more responsive to the realities of our people.
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Mr Oltetia is the CEO and Managing Director, Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC)
