Teachers seeking to own homes through the government’s Affordable Housing Programme could soon have the cost of their units deducted directly from their salaries.
President William Ruto announced that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Affordable Housing Board (AHB) are developing a check-off system that will allow teachers to finance their homes through regular salary deductions.
Ruto made the announcement on Monday, October 5, during celebrations to mark World Teachers’ Day at Kasarani, Nairobi.
Under the proposed arrangement, teachers who qualify for affordable housing will have payments towards their units deducted from their monthly earnings, easing the burden of making separate payments.
"We are now making those homes easier to acquire. AHB is working with TSC on a check-off system so that you can pay for your home directly from your salary," Ruto stated.
The President said the arrangement is intended to make home ownership more accessible by allowing teachers to pay for their houses gradually through their income.
The government also plans to involve teachers’ Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) in developing financing packages tailored to their earnings.
"We are also partnering with teachers' SACCOs to design financing that fits teachers' income," the President added.
The move comes as the government seeks to increase uptake of its Affordable Housing Programme by providing financing options that match the financial capabilities of different categories of Kenyans.
Ruto further announced that teachers will receive preferential access to units under the programme, with one out of every five affordable houses reserved for them.
"We are opening a new path to home ownership for teachers. We committed to reserving 20 per cent of affordable homes for teachers. In September 2025, KNUT and KUPPET, with the Affordable Housing Board, signed an agreement to allow teachers to reserve one in five affordable houses," he said.
The arrangement follows an agreement between the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the Affordable Housing Board.
The government’s housing programme is structured around different income brackets, with applicants placed in categories depending on their monthly earnings.
Social housing targets Kenyans earning up to Ksh19,999 per month, while affordable housing is available to those earning between Ksh20,000 and Ksh149,999.
Those earning above Ksh150,000 fall under the affordable middle-class category, with the government offering different house sizes based on income and household needs.
Kenyans seeking to join the programme can register through the Boma Yangu platform by accessing eCitizen and selecting the Boma Yangu option. Applications can also be made through the Boma Yangu website or by dialling *832#.
Applicants are required to activate their Boma Yangu accounts with Ksh200, which is credited to their e-wallet. They can then complete their profiles and submit the required personal information and documentation.
The latest announcement comes amid changes to the pricing of units under the housing programme. The government has increased the prices of affordable and market-rate housing units by 20 per cent and 10 per cent respectively, while prices for social housing units have remained unchanged.
For teachers, however, the proposed salary check-off arrangement could provide a new route to home ownership by allowing them to spread payments directly through their monthly earnings rather than relying solely on upfront or separate instalment payments.
