NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 6 – The Kidiwa Affordable Housing Project in Soi Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, is transforming lives long before the first residents receive the keys to its 220 housing units. Beyond providing decent and affordable homes, the development has become a catalyst for employment, skills development and economic empowerment for the surrounding community.
Zephania Maganga Samba, a mason working in the site, says that the project is more than a construction site; “it is a source of livelihood and hope.” Since joining the project in January, he has earned a steady income that has enabled him to support his family while contributing to one of the Government’s flagship housing programmes.
Zephania recalls that he was brought in to help address construction challenges affecting parts of the project.
“When I arrived in January, there were some challenges with the work, and I came in to help fix them. After making the necessary corrections, the work was approved, and we continued moving forward. I have remained here up to this stage as we work towards completing the project,” he says.
Although it was his first assignment at the Kidiwa site, he quickly became an integral member of the construction team.
“At first, I didn’t know what to expect because it was my first time coming here. But when I arrived, I found work, and everything felt right. I was proud to be part of this project,” he says.
The wages he earns have enabled him to pay school fees for his children, meet his family’s daily needs and invest in farming, significantly improving his household’s financial stability.
According to Zephania, the project’s benefits extend beyond individual workers to the wider community by creating jobs for local residents and reducing unemployment.
“Many people have gotten jobs because of this project, and there is less idleness than before. When people have something productive to do, it strengthens the community,” he says.
The project’s impact is equally evident in the journey of Florence Auma Odhiambo, an electrician whose career has grown alongside the development.
A Diploma holder in Electrical Engineering from Kisii Polytechnic, Florence says the practical experience she gained during her industrial attachment prepared her for work in the construction industry. Before joining the Kidiwa Affordable Housing Project, she relied on short-term contracts that ended once individual projects were completed.
She says working on the affordable housing project has provided greater employment stability while allowing her to sharpen her technical expertise and gain valuable experience on a major national development programme.
As construction nears completion, the Kidiwa Affordable Housing Project is set to deliver 220 modern housing units while leaving behind a lasting socio-economic legacy for Soi Sub-County.
Workers such as Zephania and Florence, in the long run, say that the project demonstrates that affordable housing is about far more than bricks and mortar. It is creating jobs, equipping Kenyans with marketable skills, supporting families, stimulating local businesses and strengthening community livelihoods, ensuring that the benefits of the programme extend well beyond the homes themselves.
