Real estate developer Mi Vida Homes has handed over 200 affordable green housing units to International Housing Solutions (IHS) Kenya, marking a major milestone in Nairobi’s quest to bridge its widening affordable housing gap.
The handover, which took place over the weekend at Mi Vida’s 237 Garden City project along the Thika Superhighway, forms part of a broader partnership between the two firms to deliver sustainable, climate-friendly, and affordable housing at scale.
The newly completed IHS Kenya project, named Muzi Stawi — derived from Muzi (home) in Taita and Stawi (peaceful) in Swahili — will sit within Mi Vida’s 237 Garden City affordable housing neighborhood. The project targets Nairobi’s working-class population, many of whom are priced out of conventional homeownership.
“Affordable housing must not mean compromised standards. We are proving that you can deliver modern, green, and well-located homes at accessible price points,” said Samuel Kariuki, Mi Vida’s Chief Executive Officer.
“Our partnership with IHS Kenya reflects a shared commitment to scalable housing that meets the evolving needs of urban Kenyans.”
Located within the integrated Garden City precinct, the 237 Garden City project offers a mix of studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments designed using the IFC EDGE certification tool, which enhances energy and water efficiency through green construction technology. This approach significantly lowers utility costs, promoting long-term affordability for residents.
The development also benefits from proximity to retail, commercial, and leisure amenities within the wider Garden City master plan, giving residents access to a modern urban lifestyle.
IHS Kenya Managing Director Kioi Wambaa said the project reinforces the firm’s mission to drive impact-driven housing investments that transform communities.
“Our investment in Muzi Stawi reflects our ambition to redefine what affordable housing can be,” said Mr. Wambaa.
“At IHS Kenya, we are on track to deliver about 3,000 quality, affordable green homes by 2030. Projects such as Muzi Stawi are a promise that affordability and excellence can go hand in hand. Partnering with Mi Vida has shown what’s possible when timelines are met and standards upheld.”
International Housing Solutions (IHS) is a private equity fund manager specializing in affordable housing across Africa. Since 2005, the firm has delivered over 40,000 affordable housing units across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Kenya, and manages six housing funds and a listed REIT on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. IHS operates as a subsidiary of Hunt Companies, a U.S.-based real estate and infrastructure fund manager.
The handover comes amid a housing deficit crisis in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, where annual demand stands at over 200,000 units, yet only 35,000 were delivered in 2024, according to the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Residential Report 2025 by Hass Consult. The result is an annual shortfall exceeding 165,000 units, especially in the affordable housing segment — underscoring the urgency of private sector involvement.
Having broken ground in 2023, the 237 Garden City project has already drawn significant interest from both end-users and institutional investors, buoyed by Mi Vida’s reputation for timely delivery and the project’s strategic location.
Mi Vida and IHS Kenya say they plan to deepen their partnership through additional developments that support the government’s Affordable Housing Agenda, create jobs, and spur infrastructure-led economic growth across Kenya.
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