In response to Kenya’s growing urban population and housing deficit, innovative solutions are emerging to tackle the affordability challenge. Among these, 3-D printing technology is gaining attention for its potential to revolutionize construction practices. Companies like 14Trees are pioneering this approach, using special mortar to rapidly construct houses, significantly reducing building time compared to traditional methods.
While initial costs for 3-D printed homes remain relatively high at $22,000 for a two-bedroom house, proponents argue that localizing production could bring down expenses. Despite challenges, such as limited scalability and unfamiliarity with new technologies, advocates like architect Nickson Otieno see promise in these advancements, highlighting their potential to provide durable, cost-effective housing solutions for Kenya’s urban poor.