The African Union Commission (AUC) has praised the Kenyan government for implementing an elaborate Affordable Housing Programme (AHP), which is it says is a “central development priority” for African governments.

Speaking on behalf of the Commission during the closing ceremony of the second African Urban Forum (AUF2) in Nairobi on Friday, April 10, Moses Vilakati, the head the Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) department, said Kenya’s AHP had inspired the whole continent that indeed it is possible to sort our housing issues for Africans.

Also speaking during the closing ceremony, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki noted that since 2002, every political party that has been jostling for power in Kenya had a housing agenda in their manifesto.

However, DP Kindiki hailed his boss, President William Ruto, as the only leader who was bold enough to finally tackle the housing agenda, and actualise it.

During an interactive session at the forum on April 9, President Ruto said that his government had built more than 270,000 affordable housing units in over 200 sites nationwide.

These projects, he said, have created over 640,000 jobs, expanded access to home ownership, restored dignity by addressing informal settlements, and curbed land fragmentation to protect agricultural land.

DP Kindiki said the Kenyan government will be making history soon, after completing 1 million houses under the AHP.

The concluded AUF2 raised awareness among policymakers, stakeholders, and the public on the critical role of housing in achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063, particularly in the context of rapid urbanisation, demographic change, and climate pressures.

The forum inspired inspired coordinated action among Member States, financial institutions, civil society, and the private sector to align efforts and accelerate the delivery of affordable housing at scale.