Kenya’s Housing Department Wins Global Recognition For Advancing Smart Urbanization And Affordable Housing

The State Department for Housing and Urban Development has been feted for promoting urbanization and decent housing for Kenyans through the Affordable Housing Program (AHP).

Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga was on hand to receive the award in Cape Town, South Africa, and was also recognized for his immense contribution to the growth of megacities in Kenya through the smart cities initiative.

The State Department received a Certified Bronze Gigacity award in 2025 for successfully meeting the criteria of Gigacity as established by the World Broadband Association (WBBA).

Speaking during the award ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa, WBBA Director General Martin Creaner commended the State Department for the Building Code revisions that are set to increase high-speed gigabit connectivity. This is set to improve the quality of life, with residents benefiting from advanced services with great Fiber connectivity.

Gigacities will promote the productivity of the local businesses through Fibre broadband, easing access to services such as administration and promoting smart technologies.

At the moment, over 214,057 housing units are undergoing construction in all 47 Counties under the Affordable Housing Program.

PS Hinga said the Housing program isn’t just about providing decent housing for Kenyans but also creating job opportunities for the youth, women, and the Jua Kali sector.

He said billions of shillings have been ringfenced for the Jua Kali for the supply of doors and windows, while the program has also created a consumptive demand for the manufacturing sector through high demand for materials such as cement, steel, among others.

“Today in Kenya, every major town’s flagship project is under the affordable housing program. The program is now a reality and has stimulated economic activities beyond the traditional brick and mortar workforce to focus on technological innovations.” He said.

The PS committed that the gigacities initiative will be replicated in several of the AHP projects across the country, adding that the program has created over 300,000 direct and indirect jobs and is on course to create 1,000,000 jobs in its lifecycle.

Kenya has set the benchmark for Africa in integrating smart urban transformation. Projects such as the Boma Yangu Mukuru Housing Estate and Konza Technopolis, where we are developing over 2,000 housing units, are now being showcased by UN-Habitat and other partners as models of sustainable city-building,” PS Hinga said.

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