A section of residents living in the new Mukuru affordable housing estates staged protests on Monday, December 29, 2025, over a six-month delay in the release of their relocation facilitation funds, raising fresh questions about the rollout of the government’s housing programme.

The residents gathered outside the Affordable Housing Project offices in Upper Hill, Nairobi, demanding answers over the delayed payments and clarity on housing allocations.

The protest involved families who are yet to relocate from Mukuru informal settlements to the new estates after their former homes were demolished. Each household was promised Ksh30,000 as a relocation allowance to help them settle into their new living arrangements. However, many residents say the money has not been disbursed, leaving them struggling to meet basic needs months after relocating.

Residents said the delay has caused hardship, especially for families who expected the funds to cushion them after losing their previous homes. Some claimed the original relocation amount had been reduced, but they accepted the new figure in good faith, hoping it would be paid on time.

“Imetoka ksh 75,000 saa hizi iko ksh 30,000, tukakubali tukasema tutajipanga nayo,” Geoffrey BosireMukuru resident

According to the protesters, only a small number of households have received the relocation funds despite repeated assurances from officials. They said Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga had promised that the money would be released before Christmas, a pledge they say has not been honoured.

Some residents say they are now stranded after their homes were demolished, and before being fully settled in the new housing units. They say that while the project was officially launched, several families are yet to receive keys to their houses.

“President ndiye alikuja akalaunch nyumba phase 2, lakini hatujapata nyumba bado, hata ufunguo hatukupewa. so Kijiji imebomolewa, tunanyeshewa na watoto,” Rose Naliaka, Mukuru resident

Others expressed frustration that promises made during the festive season were not fulfilled, leaving families spending Christmas in difficult conditions.

“Wakasema Christmass tutakula tukiwa ndani ya hizo nyumba, sasa tumekulia nje christmass tena,” Simon Agoso, Mukuru resident

Residents also raised concerns over delays in furnishing the houses. They said there was an agreement, lodged through a lawyer, allowing the cost of furnishing to be paid in instalments, but the promised fittings have not been delivered.

“Tulikuwa tumeambiwa nyumba ni za loan, so we have to pay on top of rent yenye tunafaa tulipe, being that tunalipa hio pesa, inamaanisha kuna mahali ulisign kwa offer letter yako kwamba unaletewa vitu, so huwezi enda kununua vituzingine until walete zile ulikuwa umeagree na wao,” Rose Munyiva, Mukuru estate resident