Kenya and the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) will partner in order to build 5,360 green and affordable houses in Mavoko, which is located about 30 km southeast of Kenya’s capital city Nairobi, a UN-Habitat official said on Thursday.

Jeremiah Ougo, the national projects officer at the UN-Habitat told journalists in Nairobi that his organization will ensure that the principles of sustainable housing are incorporated into the real estate project.

“We will provide technical assistance to ensure water and energy efficiency, as well as public spaces, are mainstreamed into the project,” Ougo said.

He observed that UN-Habitat will provide the land on which the mixed development projects will be developed.

The UN agency added that it is keen to promote green housing in Kenya in order to help the east African nation to reduce its carbon footprint.

He revealed that environmentally friendly houses have an advantage over conventional houses because they lower the cost incurred by households.

“The greener your house is, the less you spend on electricity, water and mobility,” he added.

Charles Hinga, principal secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works said that mixed housing projects which are expected to cost 20 billion shillings (about 177 million U.S. dollars) are part of the government’s affordable housing project.

Hinga noted that construction is set to begin this month and take four years for completion.

He added that Kenya is prioritizing green housing because it ensures that the country pursues a low-carbon development pathway.

Hinga added that local construction firm Epco Builders will undertake the construction.