Nairobi Woman Narrates Journey to Owning House in the City: "It's a Miracle"
- Rhoda Musyoka, a Kariobangi businesswoman and mother of five, achieved her dream of homeownership through Nairobi’s Affordable Housing Program in Ngara
- Despite initial scepticism, Rhoda saved diligently, making tough financial decisions to secure her own home, which she now calls a miracle
- President William Ruto’s Affordable Housing Program aims to provide affordable homes, create jobs, and uplift lower and middle-income Kenyans
- She explained how Kenyans choose a housing project, and start saving to own a home at a fraction of market rates
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - Owning a home in Nairobi has long been considered a luxury reserved for the wealthy.
Source: Youtube
However, for Rhoda Musyoka, a businesswoman based in Kariobangi and a mother of five, the dream of homeownership has become a reality through the Affordable Housing Program in Ngara.
"I never imagined that one day I could wake up and own my own house," Rhoda said, reflecting on her journey.
When the chairman of her community first introduced the idea of the Affordable Housing Programme, she and her neighbours were sceptical.
"We thought it was a lie," she admitted.
But after several meetings, they were educated on the process, the required savings, and how they could transition from renting to owning.
How did Rhoda get her new house
Taking a leap of faith, she decided to save diligently, even during tough economic times.
"If you are in business, it is unpredictable. Some days are good, others are not, but rent is always a fixed expense," she explained.
With a large family, she knew that renting a big house in Nairobi was costly, and securing her own home would be a game-changer.
Source: Youtube
To raise the required savings, she had to make difficult financial decisions.
"There was a time I asked my sister to send me KSh 40,000, and I told her I would explain later," she recounted.
At the time, life was difficult, especially with teenagers and others in college, but she remained committed to the goal of homeownership.
Today, she is a proud homeowner in Nairobi, something she once thought was impossible.
"To own a house in Nairobi is a miracle," she stated, her voice filled with relief and pride.
Ruto's appeal to Kenyans seeking houses
President William Ruto has been vocal about the government’s commitment to providing affordable housing for Kenyans, emphasising that the program is designed to uplift those in lower and middle-income brackets.
"The Affordable Housing Program is not just about building houses; it is about creating jobs, ensuring dignity, and securing the future of our people," Ruto recently stated.
His administration has rolled out thousands of housing units under this initiative, aiming to bridge the housing gap and provide Kenyans with an opportunity to own homes at a fraction of market rates.
How is affordable housing changing lives
Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Kenya’s Affordable Housing Program is transforming lives by enabling low-income earners to become homeowners.
One beneficiary, a former artisan, shared how the initiative allowed him to purchase a decent home through flexible payment plans, improving his family’s living conditions.
The programme, part of the government’s broader housing agenda, aims to address the housing deficit by constructing affordable units across the country.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
