By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, July 28, 2026 - The government has clarified that houses developed under Kenya's Affordable Housing Programme are not available for rent, reaffirming that the initiative is designed exclusively to promote home ownership rather than create a public rental housing scheme.
The clarification, issued through the Boma Yangu platform, follows growing inquiries from Kenyans seeking to lease completed units instead of purchasing them.
One prospective applicant posed the question directly on the platform:
"Looking for a unit to rent only. I was told they are not available. Only rent-to-own is available. Why?"
Responding to the inquiry, Boma Yangu explained that the Affordable Housing Programme was established to increase home ownership among low- and middle-income Kenyans, not to provide rental accommodation.
"Affordable Housing Programme is meant to facilitate home ownership. The units are therefore not available for rent," the platform stated.
The Affordable Housing Programme operates under a rent-to-own and direct purchase model, allowing eligible Kenyans to eventually own the houses they occupy rather than remain long-term tenants.
According to the programme guidelines, every Kenyan is eligible to benefit only once under the scheme, reinforcing the government's objective of expanding individual home ownership.
Prospective homeowners are required to register on the Boma Yangu portal, complete eligibility verification, apply for available units and, where applicable, make savings or financing arrangements before allocation.
The clarification comes as the government continues rolling out thousands of housing units across the country under the Affordable Housing Programme, one of the flagship projects under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The announcement also highlights growing demand from Kenyans who may not yet be ready to purchase homes but are seeking affordable rental options amid rising housing costs.
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Housing experts have previously argued that while expanding home ownership remains important, many urban households—particularly young professionals and low-income earners—continue to rely on affordable rental housing because of financial constraints.
The government's current policy, however, prioritizes helping contributors transition into homeowners rather than expanding the public rental market.
The clarification comes amid several recent changes to the Affordable Housing Programme.
Earlier this year, the government announced that Kenyans who choose not to proceed with purchasing affordable houses would be allowed to withdraw eligible savings made through the Boma Yangu platform, addressing concerns raised by contributors who wished to opt out of the scheme.
The government has also recently defended withdrawals reported from the Boma Yangu platform, maintaining that the programme remains on course despite public scrutiny over contributor activity.
Even with these adjustments, officials insist the programme's primary objective remains unchanged: increasing home ownership among Kenyans rather than creating a stock of government-managed rental houses.
Applicants interested in completed units must therefore apply under the ownership framework outlined by the Affordable Housing Programme, as rental tenancy is currently not an option.