Africa-Press – Kenya. Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has announced that the government plans to construct 500,000 housing units in 2026 under the Affordable Housing Project, describing it as one of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s flagship initiatives.
Wahome said that about 320,000 units have either been completed or are at various stages of construction across the country.
She added that, starting this year, completed units will be allocated to Kenyans even as construction of additional houses continues.
“Many people initially dismissed the affordable housing programme as a pipe dream. Today, the naysayers can visit any of our ongoing projects, see them, and even touch them,” Wahome said.
She highlighted that President William Ruto has consistently launched affordable housing projects across the country, a move she said demonstrates the steady progress of the initiative.
According to the CS, the programme has also become a source of revenue for the government, generating about Sh65 billion annually through the Housing Levy.
Wahome defended the government’s decision to securitise public assets as a financing tool, saying the approach allows the state to raise funds at relatively low interest rates.
Some of the loans, she noted, attracted interest rates as low as one per cent.
Her remarks come amid scrutiny of government borrowing, following earlier comments by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro that the state had raised about Sh175 billion through the Sh7 fuel levy introduced in 2023.
Wahome said such financing mechanisms help fast-track development while ensuring debts are repaid.
“The Singapore dream can become a reality, but we must allow the government to make the necessary decisions to move the country forward,” she said.
Speaking in Kandara constituency, Murang’a County, Wahome said the government has made progress in delivering on campaign pledges, citing the recruitment of more than 75,000 teachers and the expansion of the road network.
“Since independence, Kenya has tarmacked about 28,000 kilometres of roads. In 2026, the government will raise this to 30,000 kilometres,” she said.
On constitutional matters, Wahome opposed calls for a referendum on altering term limits for governors or the president, noting that such changes would be complex and require a referendum.
She emphasised that the final decision rests with Kenyans.
Her comments followed recent suggestions by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi that a referendum could be needed to address emerging governance and constitutional issues, including representation.
Wahome said term limits are a fundamental pillar of the Constitution, and altering them would be time-consuming.
She also observed that Kenya is likely to head into the next general election without a review of constituency boundaries, noting that the exercise is overdue.
Despite the delay, she said elections can still be conducted within the existing framework while discussions on electoral reforms continue.
Wahome made the remarks while distributing food hampers to over 6,000 residents in Muruka area.
She urged residents to care for elderly parents during the holidays.
“If you’re blessed, ensure you share with your parents and neighbours so you can make room for more blessings to come to you,” she said.
