Gov't Invites Kenyans To Purchase Nakuru Affordable Houses: "10% Deposit Needed"

• President William Ruto has been announcing varying prices for affordable houses, varying the figure from KSh 3,000 monthly deposits to the currently advertised KSh 16k and KSh 22k
• The government has advertised houses under the Boma Yangu portal, where willing purchasers must pay a 10% deposit.
• According to the advertisement, the two-bedroom units in Bondeni Nakuru will cost KSh 3.15 million, and the three-bedroom units will cost KSh 4.25 million

Michael Ollinga is a journalist at TUKO.co.ke with over 10 years of experience covering courts and crimes, special reports, and current affairs in Kenya.

The government has invited willing Kenyans to purchase affordable houses constructed in different parts of the country.

Cost of affordable houses in Nakuru

The Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development advertised on the government paper My Gov and Boma Yangu website, asking interested Kenyans to purchase a set of houses built in Bondeni, Nakuru county.

According to the advertisement, the houses in Nakuru comprise two-bedroom and three-bedroom units measuring 64 square metres and 85 square metres, respectively.

The advertisement seen by TUKO.co.ke indicates that the two-bedroom houses will cost KSh 3.15 million, and the three-bedroom units will sell for KSh 4.25 million

How to buy government's affordable houses

According to the announcement, those interested in purchasing the houses must pay a 10% deposit to qualify.

"Interested public parties are invited to purchase ready units at the affordable housing project in Bondeni, Nakuru. Prospective purchasers are invited to visit the Bondeni housing site to view the houses and register to purchase on the Boma Yangu portal.

"The purchasers must pay a 10% deposit to qualify. Qualified purchasers will be offered rent-to-own home loans at a monthly rate of KSh 16,997 for two-bedroom units and KSh 22,933 for three-bedroom units," reads the advertisement.

So far, the announcement has ignited a debate among Kenyans, with some arguing that the project was implemented under former president Uhuru Kenyatta's regime while accusing the current President William Ruto's regime of not giving credit but making it pass as its affordable housing success story.

Kenyans differ over affordable houses on sale

Amidst the debate, renowned lawyer Ahmednassir Abdullahi defended the affordable housing project, arguing that it would allow many Kenyans to own houses.

In a post on X, the lawyer accused a few wealthy individuals in Kenya of standing in the way of the majority of the low-income population owning houses.

"Few Kenyans just don't want most Kenyans to own homes," the lawyer posted on X.

Journalist David Makali disagreed with the lawyer's assumption, shedding light on the ambiguity clouding the affordable housing project and the Boma Yangu housing scheme.

"Let's not confuse others. There is a Boma Yangu Housing Scheme for civil servants and an affordable housing levy project, which is disputed and has been outlawed by the courts. Where do these houses fall?"

Other Kenyans questioned why they had to pay for the houses if they were built using money deducted from compatriots' salaries.

Ruto has reiterated that the project is unstoppable despite court orders halting policies aligned with the project, saying mama mboga and boda boda riders will pay between KSh 3,000 and KSh 4,000 to own the houses.