Government Plans Construction of 500,000 Housing Units in 2026

Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has detailed the government's intention to initiate the construction of 500,000 additional houses across the country during the 2026 calendar year. This move represents a substantial scaling of the affordable housing agenda, which seeks to address the residential deficit in urban and peri-urban areas. Speaking during a briefing on the ministry's outlook, the Cabinet Secretary noted that the focus remains on providing decent shelter for low and middle-income earners while creating employment opportunities within the local construction sector.

The 2026 targets follow a period of site acquisitions and the establishment of the Affordable Housing Fund. The ministry indicated that various projects are already at different stages of procurement and groundbreaking. Construction will be spread across all 47 counties, utilizing both national government land and partnerships with county governments. Officials expect that the increased volume of work will stimulate demand for local building materials, including cement, steel, and timber, benefiting local manufacturers and artisans.

Budgetary allocations for these projects are expected to draw from the housing levy collections and private sector investments under public-private partnership frameworks. The Cabinet Secretary emphasized that the ministry is streamlining the approval processes to ensure that contractors can begin work without the bureaucratic delays that have slowed down previous phases. Technical teams are currently on the ground in several regions to conduct final site surveys before more contracts are awarded in the first quarter of the year.

The government maintains that these housing units will be equipped with essential infrastructure such as water, sewerage, and electricity. This integrated approach to planning is intended to prevent the growth of informal settlements and provide a structured environment for new residents. While the 500,000 unit goal is ambitious, the ministry stated that the current framework for project management and financing is robust enough to support the intended pace of development throughout the year.