Daniel Macharia, a Jua Kali artisan with a shop along Ngong Road, is one of the numerous beneficiaries of President William Ruto’s Affordable Housing Program better known as Boma Yangu.
However, his is a heartwarming story where he managed to move his family of four from a cramped two-bedroom house in Dagoretti to a larger, more spacious three-bedroom affordable home in Park Road, Ngara.
Macharia credits Ruto’s program as a game changer in the housing sector adding that it is something that gives Kenyans hope.
Under the program, Macharia says that he pays the same amount of rent he used to pay in his previous Dagoretti house but gets better living conditions in his new home.
Further, through the rent-to-own policy that is housed under the Tension Pension Scheme (TPS), Macharia will be a certified homeowner after 25 years, giving him and his family a place they can call home for the foreseeable future.
“Before I used to own this home, it was a challenge because the house was a bit small I used to live in a small home, at Wanye, Dagoretti Corner. In fact, it was a two-roomed house. So for me, it was an uplift (moving here), from a two-room house to a three-roomed house,” he noted.
“If I look at the rent that I pay here, which is a rent-to-own under the TPS program, the same amount of rent I used to pay (previously) is the same amount of rent I pay here to this government program. Further, I get to own this house after 25 years,” Macharia added.
Macharia applauded the conditions of the houses in the Boma Yangu program citing that it was in stark contrast to the dilapidated conditions of his Dagoretti house. The amenities in the Boma Yangu houses include access to running water, uninterrupted power supply, and larger spaces for one and his family.
“Where I used to live we had challenges to do with water and of course, the space was a bit squeezed so that was a bit of a challenge,” Macharia narrated.
As if his fortunes could not get any greater, Macharia was involved in the construction of the Park Road affordable houses and later got his own home after the project. His benefits were two-fold, earning employment and later owning a home through the project.
This reflects the overall goal of President Ruto who through his Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), hopes to provide affordable homes to millions of Kenyans while at the same time creating numerous employment opportunities.
“How I first got into affordable housing was through my involvement in my local Jua Kali artisans association along Ngong Road. We were able to combine with the association in Kariobangi and Kamukunji,” he expressed.
“We delivered the Park Road project which was the pilot project of affordable housing and thereafter 45 of the artisans were able to benefit from the program and get houses. It's a good thing that we benefited financially and through home ownership,” he added.
Daniel Macharia’s journey from a cramped two-roomed house in Dagoretti to a spacious, modern home in Park Road is more than just a personal success story—it’s a testament to the transformative power of the Affordable Housing Program. His experience proves that homeownership, once an elusive dream for many, is now within reach for ordinary Kenyans.
Beyond providing shelter, this initiative is restoring dignity, creating jobs, and laying the foundation for a better future. Macharia’s story is not just about bricks and mortar; it’s about hope, stability, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
As more Kenyans seek to improve their living conditions, Macharia’s message is clear—take the first step. Whether you are a Jua Kali artisan, a young professional, or a family looking for a place to call home, the opportunity is here. The dream of homeownership is no longer reserved for the privileged few; it is a reality waiting to be embraced by all.
So why wait? Explore the Boma Yangu program today and take charge of your future—because every Kenyan deserves a place to call home.
