Teachers Get New Path to Home Ownership
President William Ruto has announced a new plan that will allow teachers seeking affordable housing units to make payments directly from their salaries.
The President made the announcement on October 5, 2026, during the national World Teachers’ Day celebrations at Kasarani.
According to Ruto, the Affordable Housing Board and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) are working on a check-off system to make it easier for educators to finance their homes.
Under the proposed arrangement, participating employees would have their housing payments deducted directly from their monthly earnings.
Teachers to Have 20% of Affordable Homes Reserved
Ruto also highlighted the government’s agreement to reserve a portion of affordable housing units specifically for teachers.
He said 20 per cent of affordable homes would be reserved for the teaching profession.
The arrangement follows an agreement signed in September 2025 between the Affordable Housing Board, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET).
The President said the agreement means that one in every five homes in affordable housing developments is set aside for teachers.
The initiative is intended to give educators a dedicated opportunity to access homes under the government’s affordable housing programme.
How the Salary Check-Off System Will Work
The proposed check-off arrangement is designed to simplify the payment process.
Instead of making separate payments through other channels, teachers who choose to purchase a house would have the relevant instalments deducted from their salaries.
Ruto said the Affordable Housing Board is working with TSC to establish the system.
He also said the government is working with teachers’ SACCOs to develop financing options that match individual incomes.
The President said a dedicated team would also support applicants seeking to acquire the units.
Teachers Can Apply Through Boma Yangu
Ruto said those interested in the programme would need to apply for their preferred housing units through the Boma Yangu platform.
The government has previously explained that its affordable housing programme offers different categories of homes depending on applicants’ income levels.
According to the latest information, social housing is targeted at Kenyans earning up to KSh19,999 per month, while affordable housing targets those earning between KSh20,000 and KSh149,999.
The income-based approach is intended to match applicants with housing options they can afford.
Government Links Housing Plan to Teacher Welfare
The housing announcement formed part of a wider message on teacher welfare during the World Teachers’ Day celebrations.
Ruto also discussed remuneration, healthcare and retirement benefits for educators.
He said the government was implementing the Collective Bargaining Agreement between TSC and teachers, with the first salary increase already paid and the second phase following in July.
The 2026/27 budget, he said, provides an additional KSh8.1 billion to keep the agreement on schedule.
The President also said the government was working to speed up retirement benefit payments.
New System Could Change Housing Access
The proposed salary deduction system could make the process of financing affordable homes more straightforward for eligible teachers.
By connecting housing payments to payroll, the government hopes to create a more structured path toward home ownership.
The involvement of teachers’ SACCOs could also provide additional financing options based on individual earnings.
However, the actual implementation of the check-off system will depend on the ongoing work between TSC and the Affordable Housing Board.
For now, the announcement gives teachers interested in home ownership a new financing option to consider.
Teachers at the Centre of New Housing Plan
The announcement places educators among the groups being specifically targeted under Kenya’s affordable housing programme.
With 20 per cent of the units reserved for teachers, the government says the arrangement will provide a dedicated opportunity for members of the profession.
The proposed salary check-off system is expected to make payments more convenient for those who qualify and choose to participate.
As TSC and the Affordable Housing Board continue developing the mechanism, teachers will be watching for further details on eligibility, payment terms and the rollout of the programme.
