Kisumu to Host Kenya Affordable Housing Conference on August 7–8

Kisumu is preparing to host the fourth Kenya Affordable Housing Conference (KAHC 2025) on 7–8 August, as Kenya intensifies its efforts to address the country's persistent housing deficit. 

The conference, organised by the Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC), will take place at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel, bringing together over 250 stakeholders from government, finance, development, and construction sectors. The central theme of the high-level forum is "Revolutionising Housing: Innovation Meets Sustainability."

The event is particularly timely given the challenges Kenya faces in providing affordable and sustainable housing solutions, especially for low- and middle-income earners, many of whom work in the informal economy. With approximately 80% of Kenyans employed outside the formal sector, innovative strategies are required to bridge the housing gap and ensure accessibility for all. Johnstone Oltetia, CEO of KMRC, emphasises the importance of aligning housing solutions with the realities of the majority of Kenyans. 

"If our housing solutions aren’t designed to meet Kenyans where they are, especially the 80% working in the informal economy, we will never close the housing gap," he said. 

Oltetia frames the conference as a critical platform for fostering actionable innovation across the entire housing value chain, rather than merely a policy discussion. The conference will open with a plenary session led by Kisumu Governor Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o, who chairs the Council of Governors Committee on Housing. He will be joined by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Lands and Housing Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, and Principal Secretary for Housing Charles Hinga. 

The programme includes a mix of plenary discussions and interactive sessions covering topics such as green construction methods, risk-sharing mechanisms, inclusive housing finance, and the evolving role of county governments in co-financing infrastructure. Delegates will also engage with international experts from institutions such as the Tanzania Mortgage Refinance Company (TMRC), the Pakistan Mortgage Refinance Company (PMRC), and Malaysia’s Cagamas. 

These experts will offer comparative insights and global best practices that can be adapted to the Kenyan context. A key component of the conference is the inclusion of guided field visits to active housing developments in Kisumu, specifically in Makasembo, Anderson-Ofafa, and Lumumba Estate. 

These tours are intended to demonstrate the tangible outcomes of partnerships between national and county governments, showcasing how policy frameworks are being translated into affordable and liveable homes for ordinary citizens. KMRC, as a non-deposit taking financial institution licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya, plays a crucial role in expanding access to long-term mortgage financing. 

The company is a cornerstone of the government’s Affordable Housing Programme, acting as a catalyst to unlock capital and facilitate home ownership for underserved populations.