Boma Yangu (Bomayangu)

Boma Yangu is the front door to the Affordable Housing Programme.

Registering. Registration is free and uses your eCitizen account. Once registered, you can save towards a deposit, see open projects and apply for a unit.

Allocation. Units are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis among eligible applicants for each project. Paying more upfront does not give you priority.

Routes to ownership. There are two:

• Outright purchase, with cash or a mortgage.
• The Tenant Purchase Scheme, where you pay a deposit, move in and pay monthly until the unit is yours.

Either way, you receive a sectional title once the unit is fully paid.

Not a rental scheme. The housing department has said that units are for ownership through these routes, not ordinary rental. Rules on resale apply under the Affordable Housing Act 2024.

Saving towards a deposit. Applicants can pay into their Boma Yangu account over time, building up the deposit they need before they apply for a specific unit. Keep the receipt for every payment, and check your balance on the portal rather than through anyone else.

Choosing a project. Each project lists its location, unit types and prices. Before you commit, visit the site, ask about the expected completion date, and read the terms for the route you choose. Housing levy contributions fund the programme but are not the same as your own deposit savings.

Mortgages. Buyers who want a mortgage for an affordable unit borrow from a bank or sacco. The Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company provides long-term funds to some of these lenders, which helps them offer longer fixed-rate loans.

• Nairobi: the largest number of units, including estate renewal projects.
• Other counties: projects open in phases. Boma Yangu lists which projects are taking applications, so check it rather than relying on social media posts.