Teachers' unions and the government, through the Affordable Housing Board (AHB), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in September 2025 to reserve 20 per cent of affordable housing units for teachers.
This is indeed good news for teachers because they are among the contributors to the project through the housing levy deducted from their salaries. Each teacher contributes 1.5 per cent of their gross monthly pay towards the Affordable Housing Levy.
However, more than a year later, the majority of teachers are not aware of this MoU because little or no sensitisation has been undertaken by the unions. Even those who are aware have limited knowledge of the availability of these housing units or how to go about acquiring them.
Unions' responsibility to sensitise teachers
Under the MoU, the Affordable Housing Board is required to formally notify teachers' unions about ongoing affordable housing projects across the country and give their members six months to apply for units through the Boma Yangu affordable housing portal.
The board is also obligated to allocate housing units to eligible union members who have applied, in accordance with the Affordable Housing Act and the relevant regulations.
Upon full payment of the purchase price for the allocated housing units, the AHB is expected to facilitate the transfer of titles to the beneficiaries.
The unions, on the other hand, have a duty to inform their members about available housing units. Furthermore, they should act as a link between their members and the AHB.
Government outlines financing arrangements
Speaking during the World Teachers' Day celebrations at Kasarani in October 2026, President William Ruto said the agreement would give teachers a dedicated share of units in affordable housing developments.
President Ruto revealed that the AHB was working with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) on a check-off system that would enable teachers to pay for the houses directly through deductions from their salaries.
He said the government was also partnering with teachers' savings and credit cooperative societies (Saccos) to develop financing options suited to teachers' incomes.
The President further said a team had been established to support teachers seeking to acquire homes.
In a communiqué following the 15th National Development Implementation Committee meeting, the government reported that approximately 10,000 affordable housing units had been completed, with 8,000 occupied.
The meeting, chaired by Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, also reported that a significantly larger number of housing units were under construction or at various stages of implementation.
With these arrangements in place, teachers' unions should intensify sensitisation to ensure that their members understand the opportunities available, the application procedures and the financing options.
The writer is a tutor at Narok Teachers Training College.
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