A Precast Concrete Technology for affordable

housing in Kenya
Authors:
Shitote, S. M., Department of Civil and Structural Engineering,
Moi University Nyomboi, T., Department of Civil and Structural
Engineering, Moi University Muumbo, A., Department of
Mechanical and Production Engineering, Moi University,
Wanjala, R. S., Department of Civil and Structural Engineering,
Moi University Khadambi, E. L., Department of Civil and
Structural Engineering, Moi University Orowe, J., Department
of Civil and Structural Engineering, Moi University and Sakwa,
F., Bamburi Special Products Apollo, A., Bamburi Special
Products

Editors Note: This paper is being published in two parts. The

second part on Design, Construction of a Pilot House and
Conclusions and Recommendations will be published in the next issue of Kenya Enginee r.

Abstract
Kenya is experiencing an acute shortage of housing for both its rural and urban population. The
problem has been more evident over the last two decades as a result of the country’s
depressed economic performance. There is proliferation of informal settlements due to high
demand for housing. There are also related problems such as violation of set standards/by-laws
in the construction of housing units and increased conflicts between tenants and landlords.
These problems are especially manifest in the low-income areas within towns/cities. In rural
areas the status of housing is characterized by poor quality of materials and the construction
methods used. To address this situation, a concerted effort by Government agencies
(concerned Ministries, Research Institutions) and the Private sector (Financial, Construction and
Professionals) is required to provide affordable housing (individual and schemes) so as to
improve the standards of living both in rural and urban areas. The success of such efforts is a
best prospect particularly for manufacturers of affordable and durable building materials,
Contractors, Researchers, Professionals and Financial institutions.

At the primary level in addressing the problem of affordable housing are the Research
Institutions because the interest from potential stakeholders will depend largely on the
outcome of proven affordable and/or low-cost technologies developed. This paper presents
some background information on housing in Kenya and discusses the preliminary design and
construction guidelines for affordable model house developed as a joint venture between Moi
University and Bamburi Special Products. In this initial stage, the teams involved in the research
were able to design and construct a model house of total floor area 45m2 made of pre-cast
steel fibre reinforced concrete walling panels at a relatively affordable cost despite the fact that
some materials were imported. It is envisaged that with appropriate replacement of the
imported materials and other high cost materials used in the model house, the overall cost will
be further reduced.
1.0. Background
1.1. Situational Analysis on Housing in Kenya
Housing development is strategically an important social-economic investment to a country and
its people. Furthermore comfortable housing is necessary for good living and this will generally
constitute well planned/designed housing and infrastructure of acceptable standards and
affordable cost which when combined with essential services affords dignity, security and
privacy to the individual, family and community at large. Adequate availability of quality and
affordable shelter also reduces proliferation of slums and informal settlements as well as
prevent social unrest occasioned by depravity and frustrations of people living in poor housing
settlements. The situation for the majority of Kenya’s population as far as adequate and
comfortable housing provision is concerned is still far from good.

The common forms of dwellings in rural Kenya are temporary houses made of mud and timber
with very few concrete/brick/stone constructions. In the urban areas, the majority of the
homes are made of stone/ concrete, however, there are areas commonly referred to as ‘slums’
whose housing structures are temporary as they are made of mud and or iron sheets. Just after
Kenya’s independence in the 1960s, the annual housing requirements were 7,600 and 38,000
new units in urban and rural areas respectively. By the 1974- 1978-plan period, a total of 50,000
units per year were required in urban areas out of which 50% was achieved. In the 1980s, the
housing shortfall was about 60,000 units per year and the net annual demand by this period
was about 20%. However, in the 1997-2001 period, the net annual demand was about 89,600
units per year representing an annual net demand of 49%. For the period between 1980 to
1997, there was a huge percentage increase in the net demand as compared to the 1974 – 1980
period. In the next decade from the year 2001, the annual demand has been estimated at
150,000 units per year [1]. This represents an annual increase in demand for housing of about
67% for the period 2001-2010. According to the 1999 National Population and Housing Census
[2] there are about three and six million people in urban and rural areas respectively in need of
proper housing.

Based on the censuses of average household size of 4 persons, there are about 750,000 and
1,500,000 households in rural and urban areas respectively in need of housing. To satisfy its
urban housing needs, the Government of Kenya plans to adopt innovative and proactive
strategies to meet its pledge to build 150,000 housing units per year, which translates to an
average of 410 units per day in urban areas but only 30,000 – 50000 units are expected to be
constructed during the year. In addition an estimated 300,000 housing units will require to be
improved annually in the rural areas. It is clear from the above figures that the problem of
housing has continued to persist and it is for this reason that the Government has developed a
housing policy to address the situation.
1.2. National Housing Policy Framework
Since independence Kenya has developed two National Housing Policies [2]. The first
comprehensive National Housing Policy was developed in 1966/67 as Sessional Paper No. 5. At
that time, Kenya’s population was just over 9 million people growing at a rate of 3 percent per
annum for the whole country and 5 to 6 percent per annum in the urban areas. The policy
directed the Government to provide the maximum number of people with adequate shelter
and a healthy environment at the lowest possible cost. It also advocated for slum clearance and
encouraged mobilization of resources for housing development through aided self-help and co-
operative efforts. Emphasis was placed on enhanced co-ordination to increase efficiency in the
preparation of programmes and projects. Other areas addressed in the policy paper included
increased research in locally available building materials and construction techniques, and
housing for civil servants through home ownership schemes in urban areas as well as
institutional and pool housing schemes in remote stations.

The second housing policy recently released as Sessional Paper No.3 [2] on National Housing
Policy for Kenya was dated July 2004. This policy document aims to achieve six broad goals. The
first is to enable the poor to access housing and basic services and infrastructure necessary for
a healthy living environment. Second is to encourage integrated, participatory approaches to
slum upgrading. Third is to promote and fund research on the development of low cost building
materials and construction techniques. Under the latter, research institutions in tandem with
the Ministry concerned with housing would be required to undertake the following:
a) Initiate, encourage, promote and conduct research related to planning, design,
construction and performance of buildings;
b) Explore social, economic and technical problems of housing and community planning
and to help establish appropriate standards for both rural and urban areas.
c) Conduct research in the use and development of indigenous and innovative building
materials and construction techniques;
d) Provide reference and documentation services to parties interested in housing and
building research and development;
e) Provide research-based advisory services to the Government on research, training and
innovative development work conducted by the Institute and other bodies.

The fourth goal aims to harmonise existing laws governing urban development and electric
power while the fifth is to facilitate increased investment by the formal and informal private
sector. The sixth is to create a Housing Development Fund to be financed through budgetary
allocations.

1.3. Current Initiatives

The need for advancement and
adoption of modified building
materials, production and
construction techniques are
paramount in the process of
developing an affordable house.

Figure 1: Pilot house under construction

In Kenya, initiatives have been
made to come up with what is
termed as Low Cost Housing. An
example is the use of Stabilised Soil
Blocks and Ferro cement
construction in the Pumwani high-
rise experiment in Nairobi
promoted by Intermediate
Development Technologies Group
(IDTG) an international Non-
Governmental Organisation (NGO)
in conjunction with National
Housing Corporation (NHC). It was
found that construction costs were Figure2: Plan of Pilot House
reduced significantly while
maintaining material quality [3].

2. Precast concrete design

2.1. Customised Solution
It is in view of the above initiatives and trends that the current research on affordable housing
is envisaged. This research has therefore explored other means besides the existing building
technologies by considering the use of modified pre-cast sandwich concrete panels (1.5m by
0.4m by 0.2m), whose structural integrity is guaranteed by the use of steel fibre reinforcement
as well as the interlocking structure of the elements when assembled. The need for ease in the
construction, reduced costs, adoption in the rural areas, and psychological satisfaction
(serviceability) has been provided through element design whose appearance is standard in
thickness although being lighter (about 100kg) due to use of lightweight core material. The
latter allows for handling of the elements by hand (labour intensive). It should be noted that
most pre-cast concrete elements of the same size as these panels are handled by equipment
such as cranes. In this initial design, styrofoam was used as core material. However, in an
ongoing research the same would be replaced with inexpensive locally available,
environmentally friendly material to be sourced from sugar factory wastes. A replacement of
the steel fibres, which are currently locally unavailable, is expected to be undertaken with an
outcome of further research on the locally available wire type steel. However, it is also
expected that with mass production of this type of a house, there would be mass importation
of the steel fibres or a local production could be attracted causing a reduction in its costs in the
long run.
The production technique for these panels is labour intensive with the use of locally developed
steel moulds. Pressing equipment for the development of the new core material is being
developed. The culmination of this research is the development of a complete Design and
Construction standard for adoption and use by professionals and the Construction Industry.

2.2. Design Considerations

2.2.1. Choice of Materials
In the effort to meet the
housing needs as pledged by
the government, architectural
and engineering standards have
to be observed. Further, the
new units have to meet the
United Nations standards on
comfortable affordable
housing.

It is noted that for walling,

currently the main building
methods employed in Kenya
are the following: temporary
walling in poles and mud, sawn Figure3 Sequence of Construction
timber walling, burnt clay
bricks, concrete block walling and stone walling

In general, the first option does not meet the desired standards. Whereas it is a common
solution for shelter in rural areas, its construction is not allowed in urban areas. Also, it is
temporary in nature and the search for a more permanent solution excludes it from the current
research. Subject to construction techniques employed, the other four options meet the
required standards. However, there are a number of disadvantages associated with them,
principal of which being material costs and the duration required for construction.

In view of the identified difficulties, a new option is proposed that is relatively cheap and can be
constructed in a reasonably short time. Pre-cast concrete elements for walling are used. This is
consistent with practice elsewhere in the world when rapid construction is desired. All
ingredients for the manufacture of concrete are readily available in Kenya.
3. Pilot House
3.1. General Aspects
A Pilot house is located at the Bamburi Special Products Factory site at Athi River about 30km
South East of Nairobi. It is a 7.5m by 6.0m two bedroom self contained house shown in Figures
1 and 2 made of pre-cast steel fibre reinforced concrete elements as described. Reinforced pre-
cast columns designed above secure the house. The roofing consists of timber trusses and iron
sheets.

The overall sequence of the construction process of the pilot house was as illustrated in
Figure3.

References
1. Republic of Kenya, National Housing Development Programme 2003- 2007, Ministry of Roads
and Public Works P.O Box 30260 Nairobi, 2003. pp1
2. Republic of Kenya, Sessional Paper No.3 on National Housing Policy for Kenya.,Ministry of
Lands and Housing P.O Box 30450 Nairobi, July 20004, pp7
3. CIVIS, Shelter finance for the Poor Series, Cities Alliance April 2003, issue IV, pp 5