Teachers seeking to buy homes under Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme will have a portion of units set aside for them, President William Ruto has said.
Speaking during the World Teachers’ Day celebrations at Kasarani on Monday, October 5, 2026, Ruto said 20 per cent of affordable housing units would be allocated to teachers. He said the government was working with teachers’ unions on a financing plan that would match the incomes of educators.
“We are opening a new path to home ownership for teachers. We committed to reserving 20% of affordable homes for teachers,” Ruto said.
The arrangement was part of commitments made when he met teachers at State House in September 2025. The housing pledge was included in a memorandum of understanding signed with teachers, with unions later engaging government officials on how the allocation would be implemented.
Ruto said the next step was to make it easier for teachers to meet the cost of buying the homes. He said the government would work with teachers’ unions to develop financing options based on teachers’ earnings.
“We are now making it easier for teachers to acquire the affordable homes. We are partnering with teachers’ unions to design financing that fits a teacher’s income to own a home,” he said.
The President did not give details on the financing model, including interest rates, repayment periods, deposit requirements or the income brackets that would determine eligibility.
The housing pledge has remained an issue for teachers since the September 2025 State House meeting. KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori said in September 2026 that discussions were continuing with the government, including work by a technical committee on access to the houses under the Boma Yangu programme.
The renewed commitment comes as the government continues to expand the Affordable Housing Programme across the country. The programme aims to provide homes to different income groups through subsidised development and financing.
For teachers, the salary-based financing model could determine whether the reserved units become affordable in practice. However, the government is yet to announce terms or when teachers will begin purchasing the homes under the arrangement.
Ruto made the housing announcement as he outlined several measures targeting teachers’ welfare during this year’s celebrations.
The event marked World Teachers’ Day, which is observed annually on October 5, and brought together teachers, government officials, the Teachers Service Commission and education stakeholders. The details will be announced after consultations with unions.
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