Real estate developer Mi Vida Homes has handed over 200 affordable green housing units to private equity-backed International Housing Solutions (IHS) Kenya at its 237 Garden City project, marking a major milestone in Nairobi’s efforts to close its widening affordable housing deficit.
The newly handed-over units form part of “Muzi Stawi” — a Swahili and Taita phrase meaning “Peaceful Home” — the latest phase within Mi Vida’s 237 Garden City affordable housing precinct. The development is designed for working-class Kenyans who have been priced out of traditional homeownership, combining affordability, sustainability, and modern living standards.
“Affordable housing must not mean compromised standards,” said Samuel Kariuki, Chief Executive Officer at Mi Vida Homes. “We are proving that you can deliver modern, green, and well-located homes at accessible price points. Our partnership with IHS Kenya reflects a shared commitment to scalable housing that speaks to the evolving needs of urban Kenyans.”
Green, Smart and Inclusive Urban Living
Located along the Thika Superhighway within the Garden City mixed-use precinct, the 237 Garden City project integrates studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments built using the IFC EDGE green certification tool — a standard that promotes energy efficiency, water conservation, and reduced operational costs.
Residents will benefit from access to retail, commercial, and leisure amenities within the wider Garden City master plan, including malls, offices, and recreation spaces — an approach designed to support balanced, community-oriented living.
Mi Vida said the project demonstrates how green construction technologies can directly enhance affordability by lowering long-term utility expenses.
“Our goal is to scale up,” added Mr. Kariuki. “We have more than 3,000 affordable homes in the pipeline across Nairobi and other urban centers, and every project will reflect our belief that sustainability and accessibility can go hand in hand.”
IHS Kenya: Investing for Impact
IHS Kenya, a subsidiary of US-based Hunt Companies, focuses on impact-driven affordable housing investments across Africa. The firm currently manages six housing funds and a listed REIT on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, with a strong track record of delivering over 40,000 homes across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Kenya since 2005.
“Our investment in Muzi Stawi reflects our ambition to redefine what affordable housing can be,” said Kioi Wambaa, Managing Director at IHS Kenya. “We are on track to deliver about 3,000 green, affordable homes by 2030. Projects such as this are not just developments — they are a promise to the Kenyan market that affordability and excellence can coexist.”
Mr. Wambaa noted that the collaboration with Mi Vida underscores the importance of shared values in timely delivery, quality assurance, and community impact. “Garden City is an address that embodies modern living, and we are proud to make it accessible to more Kenyans,” he said.
Addressing Kenya’s Affordable Housing Shortfall
The handover comes amid a deepening housing shortage in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area. According to the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Residential Report 2025 by Hass Consult, the city faces an annual demand of over 200,000 housing units, against a delivery rate of just 35,000 units in 2024 — leaving a deficit of more than 165,000 units per year, particularly in the affordable segment.
The Mi Vida–IHS partnership is therefore seen as a model for public-private collaboration, aligning with the government’s Affordable Housing Programme while simultaneously supporting job creation, local supply chains, and infrastructure-led economic growth.
Having broken ground in 2023, the 237 Garden City project has already drawn interest from both homeowners and institutional investors, buoyed by Mi Vida’s reputation for timely delivery and the project’s strategic positioning along one of Nairobi’s busiest growth corridors.
Looking Ahead
Mi Vida and IHS Kenya say they are exploring further joint projects across the Nairobi Metropolitan Area and other emerging cities, with the goal of scaling sustainable urban housing ecosystems that integrate affordability, climate resilience, and social impact.
“This is more than a housing transaction — it’s about reshaping how Kenyans experience homeownership,” said Mr. Kariuki. “We believe the next chapter of Kenya’s urban growth must be inclusive, sustainable, and proudly local.”
