In a spirited defense of the government’s flagship project, Principal Secretary for Housing and Urban Development, Charles Hinga, has called out political figures for what he labels a calculated campaign of misinformation regarding the Affordable Housing Programme. During a joint appearance with Kisumu Governor Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o at the launch of the city’s second phase of the Non-Motorised Transport Project, Hinga urged Kenyans to look past the political noise. He emphasized that the dream of homeownership is not a political bargaining chip, but a constitutional right that every citizen deserves to pursue without fear of future seizure or political instability.
Addressing the skepticism stoked by opposition leaders, Hinga was categorical in his assurance that these homes are legally secure. He countered claims that future administrations could simply repossess housing units, describing such narratives as malicious fabrications designed to derail progress. According to the PS, the constitution serves as a bedrock of protection for private property, meaning that once a Kenyan legally acquires a home under this program, their ownership is absolute. He encouraged citizens to remain focused on the life-changing opportunity to exit the rental market and secure a permanent roof over their heads, rather than listening to rhetoric aimed at gatekeeping prosperity.
The intensity of this friction has reached the halls of justice, with Hinga revealing that he is currently embroiled in over 85 court cases. He maintains that the majority of these lawsuits, frequently spearheaded by a sitting senator, are not indicators of corruption or mismanagement, but rather systemic attempts to block the development of housing for the vulnerable. He expressed deep frustration over what he perceives as a profound double standard: leaders who enjoy privileged, taxpayer-subsidized mortgages at minimal interest rates are simultaneously discouraging ordinary, low-income Kenyans from accessing their own subsidized path to homeownership.
Hinga’s vision for the program is rooted in inclusivity, particularly for those who have historically been sidelined by the formal property market. Highlighting the program’s flexible structure, he pointed out that for individuals earning less than KSh 20,000, the requirement for a deposit has been waived entirely. This, he argued, is a direct inversion of the “entitlement” mentality he observes in the political class. By removing these financial barriers, the government aims to ensure that the Affordable Housing Programme acts as an equalizer, allowing the working class to build equity and stability in a country where urban housing is often prohibitively expensive.
Beyond the immediate political sparring, Hinga framed the housing crisis as an urgent national imperative. With approximately 800,000 young people entering the Kenyan job market every year, the country is facing an unprecedented surge in urban growth. Without a sustained, government-backed effort to build decent housing, he warned that the cycle of informal settlements and substandard living conditions will only exacerbate. By integrating the housing agenda into the broader national development plan, the government hopes to provide a sustainable solution to the urbanization pressure that threatens to turn cities into hubs of inequality if left unaddressed.
Ultimately, the Principal Secretary’s message was one of resilience and long-term vision. He urged Kenyans to recognize the Affordable Housing Programme as a necessary step toward national dignity and improved living standards. While the path to implementation is cluttered with litigation and political friction, he insisted that the goal—ensuring every Kenyan has a fair shot at owning a home—remains non-negotiable. By urging citizens to seize these opportunities, Hinga is pushing for a shift in perspective, moving away from political tribalism and toward a future where secure, affordable shelter is a reality for the many, not just the few.