Kenya's ambitious affordable housing program, a central pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, is rapidly progressing with thousands of units under construction. However, a critical need exists to prioritize human well-being, focusing on security, comfort, and community integration, rather than solely on the number of units built.

• Kenya aims to build 250,000 units annually to address the housing deficit.
• The article emphasizes that true affordability must encompass the total cost of living, including transport and utilities, not just construction costs.
• Lessons from Singapore's Housing Development Board and Vienna's municipal housing system highlight the importance of integrating social infrastructure like schools, clinics, and green spaces.
• The writer is the Group Head of Marketing at Mi Vida Homes.