A new report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has revealed a staggering shortage of decent and affordable housing in Kenya.
The 2023/24 Kenya Housing Survey Basic Report found that 64.1% of households live in informal settlements, while 21.1% live in formal settlements.
According to the report, the majority of households (73.1%) in Nairobi County live in informal settlements. In comparison, 56.3% of households in Kisumu County and 64.1% in Mombasa County also live in informal settlements.
The survey also found that:
- 44.1% of households own their homes, while 21.1% rent their homes
- 44.1% of households live in houses with three or more rooms, while 21.1% live in houses with one or two rooms
- 64.1% of households have access to electricity, while 21.1% have access to piped water
“This report highlights the urgent need for affordable housing in Kenya,” said Dr. Macdonald G. Obudho, Director General of the KNBS. “We must work together to address this shortage and provide decent and affordable housing for all Kenyans.”
The report recommends increasing access to affordable housing, improving housing conditions, and enhancing data collection and analysis to better understand the housing sector in Kenya.
“This survey is a wake-up call for policymakers and stakeholders to take action to address the housing shortage in Kenya,” said a KNBS official. “We must prioritize affordable housing and work together to make it a reality for all Kenyans.”
