Pension funds administrator CPF Financial Services is in talks with four counties to construct affordable houses as it seeks to increase its investment in the real estate sector.
As of December 2021, the institution, which has assets worth Sh 68.2 billion, is looking to build houses in Laikipia, Nakuru, Nairobi and Mombasa.
Pension firms are not allowed to invest or offer debt financing in housing projects that are up to 10 percent of their asset portfolio.
"We are still in discussions with the counties and we are yet to firm it up," said Joseph Rono, CPF director of strategy finance and investment.
We had done our feasibility studies and only Nairobi had the oversupply of housing. Pension funds and insurers are looking to increase their allocation to less volatile and long-term assets such as property, bonds and infrastructure.
This comes after their assets held in the stock market plummeted in value since the Covid 19 economic hit, which has resulted in a massive market selloff and a drop in share price.
CPF in 2020 rolled out a affordable housing project in Kisumu to develop 1,394 units, which has been delayed due to the high cost of materials and the sourcing of contractors.
The old Anderson-Ofafa estate was expected to be completed in 48 months and ready for occupation by the Sh 3.8 billion project.
The counties are working together to develop infrastructure, including water and sewer lines.
The units are expected to be sold at the price of Sh 1.5 million one bedroom, Sh 2.5 million two bedroom and 3.5 million three bedroom CPF Financial Services manages Laptrust, County Pension Fund, CPF Individual Pension Scheme and Salih, a segregated fund within CPF.