Patmoz
By Njeri Irungu.
NAIROBI, Kenya — The Principal Secretary for Housing and Urban Development, Charles Hinga, has affirmed the government’s readiness to absorb thousands of young Kenyans into employment opportunities arising from the ongoing Affordable Housing Programme. Speaking during an expo showcasing building technologies and partnerships in the housing sector, PS Hinga outlined a robust vision for job creation and industrial growth tied to the ambitious national housing agenda.
“We want to tell our young people—architects, engineers, artisans, and recent graduates from universities and technical institutions—that we are ready for you,” said Hinga. “We have enough work, enough sites where you can hone your skills.”
The government has already surpassed 300,000 housing units under the program and is gearing up to scale further following President William Ruto’s recent directive to double construction shifts. The move is aimed at accelerating the pace of delivery to meet the surging demand for affordable homes. The Boma Yangu housing portal currently has over 800,000 registered Kenyans, signaling high public interest and need.
With the introduction of the second shift on construction sites, Hinga projected that an additional 200,000 to 300,000 youth would be absorbed in the coming months across the entire housing value chain—from manual labour to technical professions.
“It’s not just mujengo jobs,” he emphasized. “We’re talking about architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, landscape designers, plumbers—there is work for everyone.”
Beyond jobs, the PS highlighted the significant ripple effects on local manufacturing. The scale of materials required for the housing program is immense—over 300,000 wash basins are needed now, a number expected to double soon. Other essentials such as tiles, cement, paint, and electrical fittings are in equally high demand.
“We want to anchor our manufacturing agenda on this housing programme,” he explained. “When you do housing at scale, every component becomes an industry. That’s how we build a self-sustaining ecosystem.”
Citing elevators as an example, Hinga noted that Kenya’s demand has grown from just 750 units to over 2,750 units annually due to high-rise developments in affordable housing. The government is actively calling on international manufacturers to localize production—setting up assembly lines and even full manufacturing operations in Kenya.
“This is the message we’re giving international partners: don’t just supply Kenya—come manufacture in Kenya,” he said.
In terms of investment outlook, PS Hinga reported that contracts worth over KES 370 billion have already been signed under the housing initiative, funded largely through the housing levy. This has positioned the sector as a key economic pillar, offering both employment and investment opportunities despite facing structural challenges.
“One of our biggest hurdles has been the volatility of the construction sector—it contracts quickly in times of economic shocks,” he said. “But it also rebounds strongly, creating jobs at a massive scale. That’s the opportunity we are seizing.”
Addressing concerns that job opportunities remain elusive for many youth, Hinga acknowledged the frustration but urged them to remain alert, noting that the Public Service Commission is expected to advertise 4,000 new positions imminently. He encouraged young professionals and skilled workers to position themselves for these opportunities.
As the housing program gains momentum, the government is confident it will catalyze inclusive growth across multiple sectors, making Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme not just a shelter initiative—but a driver of national transformation.
Shadrack Nyakoe
