Kenya’s affordable housing drive is taking a new turn as property developers call for stronger estate management to safeguard investments and improve the lives of residents.

The Kenya Property Developers Association (KPDA) says the success of the government-backed programme will depend not only on building houses but also on how they are run afterwards.

Past projects, the association notes, have been undermined by neglect, poor waste collection, disputes among tenants and lack of financial accountability.

To address these challenges, KPDA has partnered with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) to introduce professional oversight. Property managers and realtors will now play a central role in handling the units.

KPDA chairman Ken Luusa explained that realtors are already being roped in to support the programme.

“We have onboarded in the first round over 30 realtors who are supporting us on putting these homes into households and buyers. So again, a significant business opportunity that is unprecedented,” he said.

Under the plan, the Affordable Housing Board will remain the custodian of the units for the first nine years. It will take responsibility for upkeep and ensure the properties hold or increase their value. More than 60 managers and realtors have already been engaged to oversee this transition.

Luusa said the partnership will also push for reforms that make it easier to do business in the housing sector.

“From streamlining approval processes, advocating for consistent policies, and creating a stable environment that attracts investment, we will move from fragmented requests to coordinated advocacy,” he said.

KNCCI president Eric Rutto described housing as both a social need and an economic opportunity. He noted that real estate contributes about ten per cent of Kenya’s GDP, with Nairobi ranking among the five fastest-growing property markets in Africa.

“Affordable housing is a government priority under the Kenya Vision 2030 and Big Four Agenda. Rising demand in urban areas, especially Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru, has fueled expansion in gated estates, apartments, and mixed-use developments,” he said.

Kenya’s demand for homes continues to outpace supply. The country needs 200,000 new units every year but produces only 50,000, leaving an annual deficit of 150,000. That shortage has pushed prices higher, with the cost of housing doubling since 2004.