President Ruto poses for a Photo with Beneficiaries of the Phase 1 Housing project in Machakos. Photo by PPS 
By Andrew Mbuva
The government has completed one of its earliest and most prominent projects under the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP), unveiling the Machakos Town Affordable Housing Project – Phase 1, a model development that signals growing momentum in the national housing agenda.
Built at a cost of KES 540,976,595, the project stands on a 2.2-acre parcel along the Chumvi–Machakos–Kitui Road and delivers 220 modern housing units across nine walk-up blocks rising five floors (G+4). The units — studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments — are designed to host approximately 770 residents, offering dignified homes within a clean, well-planned urban environment.
According to the Office of the President, the development represents a “strong reaffirmation of the Government’s commitment to decent, dignified, and affordable housing for all Kenyans,” aligning with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Demand for the estate has been notably high, with 175 of the 220 units already allocated to beneficiaries through the government’s Boma Yangu digital platform under the Affordable Housing Board (AHB). Officials say the uptake reflects growing trust in state-backed housing interventions and the desire for secure, well-planned communities.
The development is intentionally inclusive, offering social, affordable, and market-rate units within the same estate — a model meant to foster social integration and ensure equitable access across income groups.
During its construction, the project created over 450 jobs, benefiting hundreds of local youth, artisans, and suppliers. A notable highlight is the certification of 39 artisans through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme — an initiative that assessed and certified their on-site skills, with one artisan earning Grade II and 38 earning Grade III credentials. This certification is expected to enhance their employability in Kenya’s booming construction sector.
Residents will enjoy a well-serviced estate equipped with key amenities such as green spaces, landscaped areas, cabro-paved internal roads, a children’s play area, secure parking, a borehole, boundary wall, and a backup generator for power reliability.
The estate’s location strengthens its appeal, sitting in close proximity to Machakos University, KMTC Machakos Campus, Machakos High School, Machakos Level 5 Hospital, and the central retail market — ensuring convenient access to education, healthcare, and commerce.
With construction handled by Tamani Construction Ltd. and project supervision by EDG Consultants, the initiative is now fully complete and ready for occupancy. The success of Machakos Town AHP Phase 1 is already being hailed as a reference point for similar developments expected across the country as the government accelerates housing delivery.
As beneficiary onboarding continues, the Machakos project stands as a tangible example of how strategic public investments can transform urban living — and as a promising signal of the government’s broader housing ambitions taking shape.
