Mukuru Residents to Pay Ksh.3,000 Monthly in Rent-to-Own Deal—PS Hinga Explains
More than 1,000 residents of Mukuru Kwa Njenga have begun occupying newly completed affordable housing units under a government-backed rent-to-own arrangement, with monthly payments capped at Ksh.3,000.
According to Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga, the payment structure is aligned with what many residents previously spent on rent in informal settlements—only this time, the payments go toward eventual ownership.
“They will pay Ksh.2,800 per month, but it is not rent—it’s rent-to-own,” PS Hinga clarified during an interview.
Cost Breakdown
The Ksh.3,000 monthly payment includes a Ksh.1,000 service charge—already heavily subsidized by the government—and an additional Ksh.200 for insurance coverage.
“The actual cost of services should be around Ksh.3,000, but the government provides a Ksh.2,000 subsidy, meaning residents only pay Ksh.1,000,” Hinga noted.
“The Ksh.200 insurance is also vital—it offers life cover and ensures tenure security in case of unforeseen events.”
President Ruto Hands Over First Units
On Tuesday, President William Ruto officially handed over the first batch of 1,080 units in the Mukuru Affordable Housing project. Most of the available units are bedsitters designed for urban low-income earners.
Tackling the ‘Penalty of Poverty’
PS Hinga emphasized that the initiative aims to reverse the disproportionate costs borne by those in informal settlements, a phenomenon he described as the “penalty of poverty.”
“In Mukuru, residents pay 172% more for water than those with piped connections, over 140% more for electricity—mostly through illegal connections—and even pay to access toilets,” he explained.
Restoring Dignity Through Decent Housing
The affordable housing programme is part of a broader government plan to restore dignity to millions living in substandard conditions.
“That is probably the lowest level of indignity. Yet it’s the reality for nearly 70% of our urban population,” said Hinga.
“At the heart of this programme is the need to dignify our people by providing decent homes with proper infrastructure.”
Article By Suzy Nyongesa.
