Pomp and color as National Housing Corporation marks 70th Anniversary with new logo, strategic plan
By Harun Mugambi
The National Housing Corporation (NHC) has celebrated its 70th anniversary by unveiling a new logo and a five-year strategic plan, reinforcing its commitment to providing innovative housing solutions for Kenyans.
The event was attended by Alice Wahome, Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development, and Mr. Felix Koskei, Chief of Staff & Head of Public Service, who saw the launch of the Corporation’s FY2023/2027 Strategic Plan, which focuses on five key result areas.
Mr. Koskei who was speaking on Monday 27 at Bomas stated that the Government is committed to expanding the NHC’s capacity to meet the growing demand for affordable housing. He said, “To achieve this, we are encouraging public-private partnerships to leverage additional resources and expertise. We are also reviewing and updating policies to create a more conducive environment for housing development. We aim to ensure that every citizen has access to safe, affordable, and decent housing.”
He further emphasized the Kenya Kwanza government’s commitment to ensuring the delivery of high-quality services to Kenyans.
Koskei added “Service delivery is the cornerstone of public trust and confidence in government institutions. We have implemented several reforms aimed at improving efficiency, accessibility, and responsiveness in our service delivery mechanisms.”
Wahome congratulated the NHC for its role in providing housing for Kenyans for the last 70 years.
She said, “For 70 years, the National Housing Corporation has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of housing in Kenya. From providing housing solutions to fostering sustainable urban development, the Corporation has been a beacon of hope for countless Kenyans aspiring to own decent homes.”
The Corporation’s Strategic Plan is anchored on five major pillars: Housing, Financial, Estate Management, Research & Innovation, and Corporate Sustainability. It plans to construct 110,000 of the one million affordable housing units the government aims to build by the end of the financial year 2027/2028.
The Corporation is also embracing new building technologies that are more environmentally friendly and cost-effective. It plans to establish a housing resource center to stay at the forefront of technological advancements and pave the way for pioneering solutions.
NHC Managing Director & CEO, David Mathu, said the Corporation is committed to helping the Government achieve 250,000 housing units per year under the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda. He also announced plans to recover grabbed land, which has impeded the delivery of the housing agenda.
NHC Board Chair Yusuf Chanzu said the Corporation will establish a sustainable financing model, collaborate with individuals and institutions, and set up a financial institution to deliver low-cost housing to Kenyans. This will entail mobilizing financial resources to the tune of Sh353.9 billion from both internal and external sources.
This initiative is part of a broader national strategy to reduce the affordable housing deficit in the country as NHC continues to play a pivotal role in meeting the nation’s housing needs.
