Mukuru residents wait for affordable housing keys amid heavy rains

Residents eagerly await the handover of 1,080 new social housing units at the Mukuru Met Site, a move that, for many, represents more than just a change of address. It marks a crucial step toward stability, dignity, and a life beyond mere survival.

With informal settlements often turning into flooded, hazardous zones during the rainy season, residents say the timing couldn’t be better. The new homes, they believe, will be a game changer, offering much-needed safety, dignity, and relief from the familiar chaos of leaks, mud, and overflowing drains.

"This is not just a roof over our heads, it is dignity restored. For years, we have lived in slums without clean water, proper toilets, or security. Today, we are homeowners," said Geofrey Odhiambo, the chairman of the Mukuru Affordable Housing Beneficiaries Association. Describing  the project as a “dream come true for many residents.” 

The flagship development features 13,248 housing units spread across  5,616 studio apartments,  3,024 one-bedroom and 4,608 two-bedroom units. 

Priority in allocation has been given to residents of Reuben,  Mukuru Riara and Mariguini.

According to Mary Kamau, who represents the Affordable Housing Board at the Mukuru project site, the development is on track, with final touches currently underway.

“We conducted a thorough enumeration process, gave residents unique identification numbers, and supported them through registration and application via the Boma Yangu platform,” she explained.

She added that the studio units, priced at Ksh 640,000, are heavily subsidized to make them accessible to low-income earners.

“For eligible beneficiaries earning Ksh 20,000 and below, the government covered 10% of the deposit. Each bedsitter will cost residents just Ksh 3,896 per month,” she noted.

The monthly cost includes security, hygiene services, and garbage collection, with tenants only responsible for their own water and electricity bills.

In Mukuru, the project is set to deliver 98 blocks of modern housing, complete with elevators, stormwater drainage, parking lots, refuse chutes, and sewer connections.

“We appreciate the homes, but we also need jobs to sustain our new lives. We urge the Affordable Housing Board to ensure that garbage collection and maintenance jobs are also given to Mukuru residents.”

As Kenya’s ambition to deliver 200,000 affordable housing units annually begins to take shape, the Mukuru Met Site Project stands out as a powerful symbol of inclusive development, where residents are not only the builders but also the beneficiaries of transformative urban housing.

But as the keys are handed over and celebrations begin, one question lingers: Can this model be sustained and scaled to truly uplift lives across all of Kenya’s informal settlements?