By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
Kenya, 9 July 2026 - The government's affordable housing projects in the North Eastern region have made little progress, despite assurances that construction would proceed as planned.
This has emerged during a stakeholders meeting convened by Pius Mugambi, the secretary administrator in charge of affordable housing projects with warning to contractors that their contracts could be terminated if they don’t complete on time.
Currently, projects valued at approximately ksh10.9 billion are under implementation across the three counties. These investments are delivering approximately 2,309 affordable housing units, 4,880 student accommodation beds, 2,400 market stalls, and 225 police housing units.
The affordable housing project in Masalani valued at KSh 774,901,213 with 403 units is at 11% against timeline of 46.8% while Garissa University Hostels project is at 3% against timeline of 33%.
The Garissa market project (Suq Mugdi) which is worth KSh 279,900,401 is yet to start despite the contractor given greenlight to commence the project in September 2025.
Other slow-moving projects within Garissa County that have shown progress include the Modogashe and Bura East markets, Garissa public works, and various Dadaab projects.
Speaking to the press, Mugambi said that meeting was aimed at fast tracking the progress of the projects acknowledging unprecedented delays on various projects.
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“We have noticed that there are gaps in implementation of the affordable housing projects which have been delayed due to various factors but we are fast tracking them to ensure there is progress in the next three months,” he told journalists at Garissa Guest House.
The administrator asked the contractors, consultants and all other stakeholders to work in harmony and ensure all the projects are delivered within strict timelines.
Mugambi said the projects demonstrate the government's commitment to ensuring that every part of the country benefits from transformative investments that improve livelihoods, strengthen local economies and enhance the quality of life for all citizens.
Beyond the projects already under implementation, the government has developed a robust pipeline of future investments valued at approximately KSh 27.6 billion.
The projects are at various stages of planning, evaluation, procurement, advertisement and re-advertisement and will deliver approximately 7,898 additional affordable housing units, 6,260 student accommodation beds, 5,800 market stalls, and 3,300 police housing units, alongside classrooms and other social infrastructure.