HOMA BAY — A quiet revolution in green housing is taking shape on the shores of Lake Victoria. Tucked off the Homa Bay–Kendu Bay road, a new housing estate is drawing attention—not just for its design, but for what it represents.
The Boma Yangu Affordable Housing Estate in Homa Bay has become the first project in Africa to receive EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certification. It’s a rare achievement, marking a shift in how affordable housing is being built in Kenya and across the continent.
The estate’s smart features like optimally sized windows, natural cross-ventilation, and carefully planned building orientation aren’t just for show. They allow residents to rely less on artificial lighting and air conditioning. In a town where the sun beats down most days and electricity costs can run high, that matters.
“Our goal wasn’t just to build houses. We wanted to build homes that work for the people and the planet,” said Engineer Thomas Ofwa, who oversaw the technical side of the project.
Officially, the certification confirms energy savings of around 30%, water use cut by up to 37%, and a steep reduction in the carbon cost of construction materials over 50% compared to traditional methods.
But on the ground, the change is more personal.
Bernard Ojijo, a mason who worked on the site, said the project gave many young people in Homa Bay their first real job. “It kept us off the streets. We earned something, learned something, and now we can build better lives,” he told the press.
Painter Justus Mwangangi echoed that. “Most times you hear about big government projects, but you never see the impact. This one we felt it,” he said.
The project, built through a partnership between the National Housing Corporation and the Homa Bay County Government, sits on 11 acres in Makongeni, just a few kilometres from the town centre. It’s part of the national push to build 200,000 affordable homes each year.
Phase one, now complete, includes 110 units: 38 two-bedroom homes, 40 one-bedrooms, 30 studios, and two shopfront apartments.
President William Ruto is expected to officially hand over the keys to new homeowners on Friday, ahead of the Madaraka Day celebrations.
What sets this project apart isn’t just the certificate. It’s the idea that low-cost housing can also be high-quality and environmentally sound.
Solar lighting has been installed throughout the estate’s common areas. Water-saving tap aerators are fitted in every unit. And construction relied on local craftsmanship: KSh11 million went to local artisans for doors and windows, and KSh1 million to women’s groups who handled landscaping.
“In total, nearly 2,000 people got work skilled and unskilled,” Ofwa said. “That’s how development should look: local, sustainable, and inclusive.”
As the country pushes forward with its ambitious housing plan, the Homa Bay model could point the way forward not just for Kenya, but for other African nations grappling with urban growth, climate change, and the need for decent, affordable homes.
Whether more projects earn the EDGE badge remains to be seen. But for now, Homa Bay stands as a quiet, brick-and-mortar example of what’s possible.
