Mi Vida Homes has been recognised by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for advancing sustainable and affordable housing in Kenya, after two of its residential developments received EDGE Preliminary Certification at the design stage.
The certification, which assesses buildings for resource efficiency, was awarded to KEZA Riruta Phase 1A, an affordable housing project, and Amaiya Garden City – Block C, part of the second phase of the Garden City master development in Nairobi. The recognition positions Mi Vida among a growing number of developers integrating environmental sustainability into housing delivery as Kenya grapples with a widening housing deficit and rising household utility costs.
EDGE, which stands for Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies, is a global green building standard developed by IFC and administered through Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). The framework evaluates projected savings in energy, water and materials compared to conventional construction benchmarks.
Mi Vida said the certifications affirm its strategy of embedding efficiency into project design to deliver long-term cost savings for homeowners while reducing the environmental impact of residential developments.
Efficiency gains at KEZA Riruta
For KEZA Riruta Phase 1A, the EDGE Preliminary Certification confirms that the project’s design is expected to deliver a 25 percent reduction in energy consumption, 34 percent water savings and a 30 percent reduction in embodied energy in construction materials.
These efficiencies are expected to translate into lower electricity and water bills for residents, an increasingly important consideration as Kenyan households face higher living costs and periodic increases in utility tariffs.
KEZA Riruta targets first-time homebuyers, young professionals and working families through a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units located within a well-connected urban neighbourhood. The project has recorded strong market demand, with Phase 1A fully sold out ahead of handover.
Housing analysts say such uptake reflects growing sensitivity among buyers to both price and long-term running costs, particularly in the affordable and mid-market segments.
Sustainability at Amaiya Garden City
Amaiya Garden City – Block C, which comprises 128 residential units, also secured EDGE Preliminary Certification based on projected design efficiencies. According to Mi Vida, the development is expected to achieve 26 percent energy savings, 27 percent water savings and a 30 percent reduction in embodied carbon in materials.
The project incorporates sustainability measures including insulated roofing, energy-efficient lighting, water-saving fittings and material-efficient structural systems. These features are designed to reduce operational carbon emissions across the building’s lifecycle while maintaining cost efficiency.
Amaiya Garden City forms part of the broader Garden City mixed-use development, which combines residential, retail and commercial components. The project is positioned within the middle-income housing segment, where demand continues to outpace supply in Nairobi and its satellite towns.
Building on an EDGE Champion track record
The latest certifications build on Mi Vida’s broader sustainability journey. In 2024, the developer was recognised as an EDGE Champion, an accolade awarded to companies demonstrating leadership in advancing green building practices within their markets.
EDGE Champion status reflects sustained commitment rather than individual projects, signalling a strategic shift toward environmentally responsible development across a company’s portfolio.
Kenya has emerged as one of Africa’s leading EDGE markets, driven by rising construction activity, increasing awareness of climate risks and growing interest from investors in sustainable real estate assets.
Balancing affordability and sustainability
Mi Vida Chief Executive Officer Samuel Kariuki said the EDGE certifications reinforce the company’s view that sustainability and affordability are complementary rather than competing objectives.
“By embedding efficiency into our designs from the outset, we are able to lower long-term utility costs for homeowners while delivering positive environmental outcomes,” Kariuki said. “Our focus extends beyond building houses to creating enduring value for residents, investors and the communities we serve.”
He added that the efficiencies incorporated into projects such as KEZA Riruta and Amaiya Garden City are expected to generate meaningful savings for residents, particularly on electricity and water bills, at a time when household budgets remain under pressure.
Responding to Kenya’s housing gap
Kenya faces an estimated annual housing deficit of more than 200,000 units, with the shortfall most acute in the affordable and middle-income segments. Government-led initiatives under the national affordable housing agenda have sought to close the gap, but private developers continue to play a central role in delivery.
Mi Vida’s portfolio includes completed developments such as Mi Vida Garden City and Amaiya Garden City, as well as more price-accessible projects including 237 Garden City and KEZA Laika in Ruaka. Across its developments, the company offers homes starting from about Sh2.9 million for studio units, with pricing varying by size, location and typology.
Industry observers note that affordability increasingly depends not only on purchase price but also on long-term ownership costs, making energy- and water-efficient housing more attractive to buyers.
Investor interest in green housing
Mi Vida’s focus on sustainability has also attracted growing interest from institutional and impact-focused investors. Projects such as KEZA Riruta and 237 Garden City have secured bulk off-take commitments and strategic partnerships, underscoring the role of structured investment in supporting large-scale housing delivery.
Such arrangements help developers manage financing risk while enabling investors to align capital deployment with environmental and social outcomes.
“The growing appetite for green-certified housing reflects a shift in how investors evaluate real estate risk and value,” said a Nairobi-based property analyst. “Efficiency, resilience and long-term operating costs are now part of the investment equation.”
Certification and next steps
EDGE Preliminary Certification confirms that projects meet performance benchmarks at the design stage and are on track to achieve final certification upon completion, subject to verification that construction aligns with approved specifications.
For developers, achieving certification at design stage can influence procurement decisions, construction methods and long-term asset performance. For homeowners, it provides assurance that efficiency claims are independently assessed.
As Kenya accelerates housing delivery alongside its climate commitments, EDGE-certified developments are expected to play a growing role in shaping new urban neighbourhoods.
Mi Vida said its expanding portfolio of certified projects reflects a market increasingly focused on practical affordability, sustainability and long-term value creation, as developers, buyers and investors adapt to evolving economic and environmental realities.
