Civil servants encouraged to apply for statefunded mortgages

GEOFREY WANG’ANYA-KNA

Civil servants have been urged to leverage the Civil Servants Housing Scheme Fund (CSHSF), a government initiative providing affordable mortgage and loan facilities to enable home ownership.

During a public participation forum held at the Magharibi Hall in the Western Regional Commissioner’s offices, Deputy Director in the State Department of Housing, Bonface Ngochi, explained that the scheme is open to all civil servants in the national government.

It provides housing loan facilities for purchasing or constructing residential properties.

Mr. Ngochi revealed that the scheme, established in 2004 to assist civil servants in acquiring homes, has to date benefited over 6,000 government employees.

“The Scheme has assisted more than 6,000 civil servants by providing loan facilities to buy or construct their own houses,” he said.

He explained that the fund was initially seeded through the sale of non-strategic government houses, with the proceeds forming the capital base sustaining operations for over two decades.

Mr. Ngochi highlighted the scheme’s affordable loan features, including a four-per cent annual interest rate on a reducing balance and repayment periods of up to 20 years or before retirement age.

“Your job is security. If you are a civil servant, you are eligible for the scheme. Your job security serves as the primary collateral,” he added.

On public awareness, the Deputy Director outlined ongoing media campaigns across counties, confirming that his team has already conducted forums in Kisii and Githunguri in Kiambu before the Kakamega engagement.

He announced plans to extend outreach to counties that have not yet been covered, particularly in Western Kenya, following the scheme’s rollout with reviewed amendments at the start of the 2026/2027 financial year.

Responding to concerns about land title deeds for housing on public land, Ngochi cited successful precedents, including 606 units in Kibera and 1,070 units at Uhuru Estate, where beneficiaries now hold legitimate land title deeds.

“This is not the first time the government is undertaking projects for sale to the public or civil servants on public land,” he told participants.

He clarified that the State Department for Lands is currently processing titles for all affordable housing developments, following the establishment of legal procedures for converting public land to private ownership.

On the relationship between CSHSF and the broader Affordable Housing Programme, Mr. Ngochi explained that the schemes are complementary.

He emphasized that CSHSF remains exclusive to national government civil servants, distinguishing it from the general affordable housing initiative open to the public.