The Affordable Housing Board’s chief executive, Joe Mutugu, told the National Assembly’s Special Funds Accounts Committee that some affordable housing projects are being built on land without full ownership documents.

The committee, chaired by Fatuma Mohammed, queried the board on the status of land titles for projects under the Affordable Housing Fund for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.

According to the Auditor‑General’s report, 269 projects have no land documentation, while two are on community land and 23 rely only on certificates of search.

The lack of formal ownership papers could delay the issuance of sectional title deeds to future homeowners, the board acknowledged.

Mutugu said the issue stems from long‑standing gaps in public‑land registration and that the board has written to county governors where projects sit on county land to obtain the necessary documents.

Some governors have signed resolutions with the State Department for Housing and Urban Development and the Affordable Housing Board to facilitate the preparation of ownership documents.

For land owned by national ministries, departments and agencies, the cabinet has approved the vesting of 275 parcels to the Affordable Housing Board, with agencies directed to complete approvals and submit paperwork.

Committee chair Fatuma Mohammed also raised concerns about low contractor profit margins and whether contributors to the housing levy are guaranteed allocations.

Principal Secretary Charles Hinga clarified that the housing levy is classified as a tax, giving contributors a legitimate expectation of a house, and confirmed that contractor margins are capped at 15 percent by design.

Hinga also disclosed that Kenyans have contributed over Sh200 billion to the programme, with the funds accounted for in the Affordable Housing Board’s financial statements.