Jenga Pamoja: Ambitious Plan Seek To Transform Kenya’s Informal Settlements

Developing at a much faster rate, Kenya, like many developing nations, is witnessing rapid urbanization accompanied by an ever surging demand for housing.

Take for example, the capital, Nairobi, alone it is estimated to be housing approximately 60% of its urban population in informal settlements hence the need for sustainable and accessible housing solutions has never been more critical.

Recognizing this, Omoh Homes, a trendsetter in the affordable real estate market, has launched the Jenga Pamoja Housing initiative, a transformative housing project dedicated to offering a facelift to Kenya’s informal settlements.

Vision of Jenga Pamoja

Jenga Pamoja, which loosely translates from a swahili word meaning “Build Together,” indicates Omoh Homes‘ philosophy of inclusivity, community involvement, and sustainable growth.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, Omoh Group, Mr. Nicholus Okach the project is geared towards providing high-quality, low-cost housing that integrates modern amenities without compromising affordability.

Mr. Okach said,” It is an approach rooted in collaborative partnerships with local communities, governments, and stakeholders aimed at ensuring housing solutions are accessible and can be replicated with much ease across various regions.

Rising Need for Housing in Informal Settlements

Kenya’s informal settlements such as Nairobi’s Kibera and Mathari slums are known for overcrowding, lack of basic infrastructure, and insecure housing, where families often reside in structures oblivious of the weather and health risks.

Mr Okach added that Omoh Homes has identified these areas as critical targets for the Jenga Pamoja initiative, aiming not just to provide homes but to offer dignified living conditions.

“Our primary focus is to ensure individuals from all levels of income have access to safe and clean drinking water, sustainable electricity, safe sanitation services et al., elements often lacking in informal settlements,” he added.

Additionally, financing remains a significant obstacle. In recognizing this, Omoh Homes is actively seeking partnerships with financial institutions to provide flexible mortgage financing models and rent-to-own and buy-to-own schemes, ensuring that families with modest incomes stand to benefit.

A Vision for Kenya’s Future Housing Landscape

It is not lost that the Jenga Pamoja program not only addresses immediate housing needs but also sets a model for sustainable urban development in Kenya and beyond.

With an aim of creating communities, these housing units have been designed within master-planned neighborhoods offering essential amenities, such as schools, healthcare facilities, recreational parks, and shopping areas ensuring residents have access to a range of services that contribute to a higher quality of life.

This could inspire the replication of this model across Africa.

As the company continues to expand this project across Kenya, it aims to close the housing gap while fostering communities that are healthier, more sustainable, and more economically empowered.

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