Updated 28 October 2026
Boma Yangu is not a separate housing scheme. It is the government’s online platform (and the *832# USSD code) that you use to register, save a deposit and get allocated a unit under the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP). The AHP is the wider programme that builds the houses, funded partly by the Affordable Housing Levy. In short: AHP is the programme, Boma Yangu is the door into it. Updated October 2026.
Updated October 2026. Official source: bomayangu.go.ke (registration steps, deposit rule, income bands and purchase plans, read 28 October 2026).
Boma Yangu vs Affordable Housing Programme at a glance
| Item | Boma Yangu | Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Online portal and *832# USSD service | Government priority programme that builds and sells or rents homes |
| Who runs it | State Department for Housing and Urban Development, through the Boma Yangu platform | State Department for Housing and Urban Development with developers and counties |
| What you do there | Register, save, view projects, pick a unit, check allocation | The homes themselves: social, affordable and market units in counties |
| Cost to join | Registration is free; save at least KSh 200 to activate | Unit prices vary by project and typology |
| Money involved | Your voluntary savings toward a deposit | Funded partly by the Affordable Housing Levy deducted from salaries |
| Who can use it | Kenyans at home and in the diaspora, plus employers, Saccos and chamas as organised groups | Buyers who qualify by income band; one Kenyan, one home |
How Boma Yangu works: register, save, own
- Register free. You need an eCitizen account. Register on the Boma Yangu web portal or dial *832#. Complete your profile with personal details and housing preferences; the platform verifies your details with government agencies.
- Save to activate. Save at least KSh 200 to activate the account. After that you can save any amount, as often as you like. Savings are not capped.
- Pay through approved channels. Mobile money on all networks, debit or credit cards, or cash deposits at the custodial banks named on the site: KCB, NCBA and Co-operative Bank.
- Pick a unit. Browse projects, add favourites to a wishlist and select a preferred unit. The platform then shows the deposit you need, which is 5% of the unit value.
- Wait for allocation. Once a project is complete, members are notified. Allocation depends on when you reached the required deposit, family status, other social factors and demand. Those not allocated go on a waiting list. Check status on *832#.
Our step-by-step guide on how to apply for affordable housing in Kenya has screenshots of each stage. If you have not opened eCitizen yet, start with how to create an eCitizen account.
Which AHP house you qualify for: the income bands
Boma Yangu’s FAQ sets eligibility by monthly income:
| Category | Monthly income | Typical units in projects |
|---|---|---|
| Social housing | Up to KSh 19,999 | 1-room, 2-room and 3-room units |
| Affordable housing | KSh 20,000 to KSh 149,999 | Studios, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom units |
| Affordable middle class | Over KSh 150,000 | 2 and 3-bedroom market-rate units |
Social housing applicants may apply to the board for deposit assistance of up to 5% of the purchase price. Project write-ups on the portal, for example in Kasarani, Kapsabet and Chuka, show mixed estates with all three categories in one development.
How you pay for an AHP unit
The portal lists three purchase plans:
- Outright cash purchase.
- Home loan through partner financial institutions. Model repayments with our mortgage calculator.
- Tenant Purchase Scheme (TPS), where you pay over time while living in the unit.
Boma Yangu savings vs the Housing Levy: not the same money
This is where most confusion comes from. The Affordable Housing Levy is a statutory deduction from your payslip (employers deduct and match it) that funds the programme. It is not automatically your deposit. Your Boma Yangu savings are separate, voluntary payments into your own wallet toward the 5% deposit. To see what the levy costs you each month, use our housing levy calculator or read the Affordable Housing Levy guide.
Refunds of Boma Yangu savings follow the housing fund regulations and are requested through the portal.
Rules to know before you save
- One Kenyan, one home. Each Kenyan can benefit from the scheme only once.
- Diaspora applicants can register and save through the same payment channels.
- Groups such as employers, Saccos and chamas registered in Kenya can take up units in bulk for members.
- Use only official channels. Pay through the portal, *832# or the named custodial banks. Nobody needs a “fee” to speed up allocation.
Boma Yangu: frequently asked questions
Is Boma Yangu the same as the Affordable Housing Programme?
No. Boma Yangu is the registration and savings platform; the Affordable Housing Programme is the government programme that builds the houses you apply for through it.
How much do I need to start saving on Boma Yangu?
KSh 200 activates the account. To qualify for allocation you need 5% of your chosen unit’s value saved.
Does the Housing Levy count as my Boma Yangu deposit?
No. The levy is a payroll deduction that funds the programme. Your deposit comes from your own savings in your Boma Yangu wallet.
How do I register for Boma Yangu by USSD?
Dial *832# and follow the prompts. You can also save and check allocation status on the same code.
Can Kenyans abroad buy an affordable housing unit?
Yes. The portal states that diaspora applicants can register and save toward a home through the available payment channels.
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