The Talai Majengo Affordable Housing Project in Kericho County has reached 36 percent completion, marking steady progress toward the delivery of 324 modern housing units under the government’s flagship Affordable Housing Programme.
The Sh778.2 million project sits on a 2.92-acre site in Ainamoi Constituency, with construction having begun in July 2024 and slated for completion by January 15, 2026.
Housing design options cater to diverse needs, ranging from studios and one-room units to spacious two- and three-bedroom apartments across social, affordable, and market categories.
Residents will also benefit from amenities such as a community centre, Early Childhood Development (ECD) facility, gatehouse, garbage collection points, underground water tank, perimeter wall, sewer reticulation, roads, parking bays, and landscaped open spaces.
In an interview with the Kenya News Agency while inspecting the progress, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Housing and Urban Planning, Johana Ngeno, said the project was more than just putting up houses, as it was also creating employment opportunities for local youth.
He noted that Kericho had a sufficient pool of skilled carpenters, welders, plumbers, and electricians and stressed that contractors should not import labour when qualified residents were readily available.
“This project is not merely about putting up structures; it represents an opportunity to transform lives. Beyond the housing units, it is a platform for empowering our young people through meaningful employment. Kericho has skilled carpenters, welders, plumbers, electricians, and many other professionals who are more than capable of delivering quality work. It would be unacceptable for contractors to overlook this talent and import labour from outside while our own people remain jobless,” Ngeno emphasised.
Ngeno further stressed that families who surrendered their land for the project must be given first priority in acquiring the new homes, noting that this aligns with President William Ruto’s directive that at least 90 percent of the housing units should benefit local residents.
Beyond providing shelter, the project is expected to inject over Sh778 million into the local economy. Contractors have been mandated to source construction materials locally, while Jua Kali artisans from Kericho are fabricating steel works such as doors, windows, and rails directly on site. The initiative is projected to generate hundreds of jobs, strengthen local micro, small, and medium enterprises, and promote long-term skills transfer.
Maurice Kakai Bisau, the Member of Parliament for Kiminini and a member of the committee, emphasised that the housing units under construction in Kericho were designed to go beyond the basic function of offering shelter.
He explained that the project incorporated child-friendly spaces, essential social amenities, and sustainable urban planning principles, reflecting a holistic approach to modern housing. He further observed that the progress witnessed in Kericho was a clear indication that the government’s vision for affordable housing was steadily taking shape and beginning to yield tangible results on the ground.
“The houses we are seeing here are not just roofs over people’s heads; they represent a new way of life. By integrating play areas for children, proper sanitation, green spaces, and sustainable designs, we are setting a standard that every county should emulate. What is happening in Kericho is clear evidence that the government’s Affordable Housing Programme is no longer a dream but a reality taking shape on the ground,” said Mr. Bisau.
The Talai Majengo project aligns with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which aims to address Kenya’s housing deficit while stimulating economic growth through infrastructure and urban renewal. With construction now a third complete, Kericho residents are optimistic that by early 2026, hundreds of families will move into modern homes that combine dignity, affordability, and community living.
By Gilbert Mutai
