Kenya: housing

How many affordable houses has Kenya built?

277,281 housing units had been completed or were under way under Kenya's Affordable Housing Programme as of May 2026, according to the National Treasury's Budget Statement for FY 2026/27. More than one million Kenyans had registered interest in buying a home on the Boma Yangu platform. The Treasury also reports 177,686 student beds packaged for development at universities and 22,512 institutional housing units under construction for disciplined forces, teachers, health workers and other public servants.

The 277,281 figure combines finished homes with those still being built, so it is not a count of completed houses. Homes are allocated through Boma Yangu, where buyers register and save towards a deposit. The 2026/27 Budget Summary allocates KSh50.7 billion for construction of affordable housing units and KSh20.9 billion for social housing units.

Official sources: National Treasury: Budget Statement FY 2026/27 · Boma Yangu · National Treasury: Budget Summary FY 2026/27

How much is the housing levy in Kenya?

The Affordable Housing Levy is 1.5% of an employee's gross monthly salary, matched by another 1.5% from the employer, according to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Other people who earn income in Kenya pay 1.5% of their gross income. Employers have deducted the levy since 19 March 2024 and must remit it by the 9th working day after the end of the month. The National Treasury's Budget Summary projects KSh110.0 billion from the levy in 2026/27, against KSh73.2 billion in 2024/25.

The levy is set by the Affordable Housing Act, 2024, and funds the Affordable Housing Programme. Resident individuals who pay it are entitled to an affordable housing relief on their income tax, and the employer's share is a deductible business expense.

Official sources: KRA: collection of the Affordable Housing Levy · National Treasury: Budget Summary FY 2026/27

What are mortgage interest rates in Kenya?

Kenyan commercial banks charged an average lending rate of 14.4% in September 2026, compared with 14.3% in August and 17.2% in November 2024, according to the Central Bank of Kenya. The Central Bank Rate, which guides bank rates, stayed at 8.75% after the 7 October 2026 meeting. The Central Bank's interest rate statistics give monthly lending, deposit and savings rates.

The average lending rate covers all bank loans, not only mortgages, and mortgage rates vary by bank, loan size and borrower. The average rate has fallen since November 2024, and the Central Bank reports that lending to building and construction has grown strongly in 2026.

Official sources: Central Bank of Kenya: MPC press release, 7 October 2026 · Central Bank of Kenya: interest rate statistics

How many Kenyans live in slums?

40.5% of Kenya's urban population lived in slums in 2022, according to the World Bank, using UN-Habitat data. The share was 50.8% in 2020. The 2026/27 Budget Summary allocates KSh2.7 billion to the second phase of the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project and KSh18.6 billion to the Kenya Urban Programme.

The measure counts urban households that lack basic housing conditions such as safe water, sanitation, durable housing or enough living space, so it includes informal settlements in Nairobi, Mombasa and other towns. Large changes between years can reflect new survey data rather than change on the ground.

Official sources: World Bank: population living in slums, Kenya · National Treasury: Budget Summary FY 2026/27

What is Kenya's housing budget?

Kenya's 2026/27 budget allocates KSh135.8 billion to housing, urban development and public works, 5.8% of the key thematic allocations, according to the National Treasury's Budget Summary. This includes KSh50.7 billion for affordable housing units, KSh20.9 billion for social housing units, KSh20.2 billion for institutional housing and KSh18.6 billion for the Kenya Urban Programme.

Much of the affordable housing spending is financed by the Affordable Housing Levy, which the Treasury projects will raise KSh110.0 billion in 2026/27. Allocations are what Parliament approved for the year; actual spending is reported later by the Office of the Controller of Budget.

Official sources: National Treasury: Budget Summary FY 2026/27 · Office of the Controller of Budget

What is Kenya's urbanisation rate?

The UN Population Division puts the share of people living in urban areas in Kenya at 32.2% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 44.9%; Kenya is 38th highest of 48. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 167th highest.

What share of Kenya's city dwellers live in slums?

In 2022, the share of city dwellers living in slums in Kenya was 40.5%, according to UN-Habitat. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2006. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 48.7%; Kenya is 36th highest of 48. Worldwide: 54th of 170.

What share of people in Kenya have electricity?

The World Bank puts the share of people with access to electricity in Kenya at 77.0% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 12th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 57.8%. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 152nd highest.

How many people in Kenya have a safe toilet?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 35.8%. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 6th highest of 29 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 23.6%. Of 134 countries with 2024 data, 95th highest.

How many people in Kenya cook with wood or charcoal?

32.0%: that is the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Kenya for 2024, according to the WHO. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 19th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 13.0%. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 152nd highest.