Boma Yangu Registrations Top One Million as Demand for Affordable Housing Grows
By Chemtai Kirui
Nairobi, Feb 6 — Registrations on the government-backed Boma Yangu housing platform have surpassed one million, signaling rising demand for affordable housing amid persistent cost-of-living pressures and rapid urbanization.
The platform, which allows Kenyans to register for government-supported housing units, is a central pillar of the affordable housing program aimed at expanding access to home ownership and rental options for low- and middle-income earners.
Housing officials say the surge in registrations reflects both growing housing needs and increased public awareness of the program, which targets workers in the formal and informal sectors who have traditionally been priced out of the property market.
Demand for affordable housing has intensified in recent years as rising land prices, high construction costs and limited access to mortgage financing continue to push home ownership beyond the reach of many households, particularly in urban centers.
Under the program, applicants register through the Boma Yangu portal and are matched to housing projects based on income brackets, location and availability.
Units are offered through tenant purchase schemes, affordable mortgages or long-term rental arrangements, depending on the project.
Government data show that housing demand remains heavily concentrated in Nairobi and its satellite towns, although interest is growing in other urban centers as new projects are rolled out.
Economists say the registration milestone highlights a widening gap between housing demand and supply, even as the state accelerates construction, adding that registration figures do not automatically translate into allocations, pointing to delays in project completion and concerns over affordability once units are delivered.
Housing analysts have also raised questions about financing sustainability, infrastructure readiness and whether supporting services such as transport, water and sanitation will keep pace with large-scale housing developments.
The government says it is working to address these concerns by partnering with private developers, county governments and financial institutions to increase supply and reduce costs, while also expanding supporting infrastructure.
