It’s a Miracle! Beneficiaries of Affordable Housing Tell Their Life-changing Stories of Owning Houses in Nairobi

We meet Rhoda Musyoka, a mother of five and a business lady in Nairobi and her radiant smile tells it all, a dream come true.

She describes it as a miracle to own a house in Nairobi, a city where the prices of houses have been shooting, if reports by realtors is anything to go by.

Hailing from Kariobangi estate in Nairobi, at first, Ms Musyoka was at first skeptical about Affordable Housing, thinking it was a lie until she became a beneficiary.

“I never imagined that one day I could wake up and have my own house. When our chairman talked about Affordable Housing we thought it was a lie. We had our first meeting, we were briefed on the process and what we are supposed to be saving. I thought it was good I take the risk then I started saing,” she says.

What started as a risk-taking has culminated into achieving one of her dreams; owning a house in the city.

“With a big family you have to rent a huge house. You can imagine you need a three-bedroom house in Nairobi which is very expensive. I remember there is a day I borrowed money from my sister. I did not even tell her why. I was like ‘send me Ksh40,000 I will explain later. Life was difficult with teenagers in college. You are paying the general upkeep and you are still paying rent,” she adds.

Ngara Affordable Housing Project

When the first lot were allocated houses, Ms Musyoka was worried that she could have been sidelined and almost lost hope in the project.

However, she was among the second cohort to sign their contracts in the Ngara Affordable Housing Projcect.

“When we got into this programme (Affordable Housing), there was hope. Some of us decided to risk and then the first allocation was done and then we got the Ngara one, the one we are in. We were informed that we were allocated housing and there it was; I found a contract with my name. To own a house in Nairobi is a miracle!” she exclaims.

Her friends could not believe and as she says, they had to visit and confirm that the Affordable Housing project was true, and that actually Kenyans were benefiting.

“When you wake up in your own house, and you are in Nairobi, not any other place, there is that comfort in you. I feel secure and I can do my things comfortably. I don’t owe anyone rent at the end of the month. It’s a miracle!” she adds.

In her message to Kenyans, she says, “Don’t listen to what people are saying. Just go and learn for yourself. The money I used to pay for rent I can save for something else. It’s like an investment also.”

The story is not so different for Daniel Macharia, an artisan and a beneficiary of the Ngara Affordable Housing project.

Before landing a house at the project, Macharia used to live in Wanyee, Dagoretti Corner, in a house that he describes as having been too small for his family.

“For me it was an uplift from a two-roomed house to a three-bedroom house. The same amount I used to pay for rent is the same amount I pay to own this house,” he says.

Being an artisan, Macharia was among the suppliers of the materials used in the construction of the houses after forming an association. He says at least 45 artisans from the association have benefitted from the project.

“They (the artisans) live here. It a good community and we are happy we benefitted both financially and through home ownership. It’s exciting and it gives someone hope,” he says.

How to own an Affordable Housing Unit

There are three ways you can register for the housing units. First, from your eCitizen account click Boma Yangu and follow prompts or dial *832# and follow prompts, providing the required inforamtion. Alternatively, you can visit any Huduma Centre where you will be guided accordingngly.

After creating an account, you will be able to view all projects across the country. Select a home in your prefered location and the required deposit will be indicated. Provide the required information on the portal for allocation. Partner banks and saccos will assess and give you a pre-qualification for affordable home loan. Apply for the home when the sales process is open.

You can now start saving for your home’s deposit by making rogular payment into your Boma Yangu savings.

When the booking process is complete, the Affordable Housing Board will review your application and communicate its decision directly to you.

For those allocated, an offer letter will be sent to them which they will be required to sign according to their payment plan.

Read: Explained: Can You Buy Affordable Housing Units Using Housing Levy?

>>> 6 Reasons You Should Buy An Affordable Housing Unit