Land, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary, Alice Wahome, has underscored the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the construction sector, as the Kenyan government races to complete at least 200,000 affordable housing units by February next year.
Speaking at an international construction research conference and exhibition in Mombasa, Wahome highlighted the urgency of adopting AI to streamline construction processes and drive innovation.
The government’s Boma Yangu initiative, aimed at addressing Kenya’s housing deficit, has already received 545,000 applications for affordable homes.
Further Wahome emphasized the need for swift and efficient construction to meet this overwhelming demand, including addressing the needs of persons living with disabilities.
In her address, Wahome called for an acceleration of policies and regulations that would facilitate the integration of AI in the construction sector.
She believes that leveraging AI could significantly enhance productivity, reduce costs, and introduce innovative solutions to Kenya’s housing challenges.
AI, a Game-Changer for Construction Efficiency
“AI makes the construction process faster, smarter, and more efficient,” Wahome said. “We used to rely on manual tools like pens and rulers for design, but AI allows us to automate complex tasks, enabling quicker project completion and better resource management.”
Wahome added that ongoing construction of approximately 75,000 housing units is in various stages of development, with an additional 60,000 units currently in the procurement process.
As the government ramps up efforts to meet its housing targets, Wahome noted that AI could be a crucial component in achieving these goals.
Artificial Intelligence has the potential to revolutionize not only the scale but also the quality of housing projects.
By automating design, planning, and even certain construction processes, AI could drastically cut down project timelines, improve accuracy, and reduce the risk of human error.
AI-driven innovations such as predictive analytics, 3D modeling, and robotics are expected to enhance construction efficiency while lowering costs.
“AI technology not only reduces the time and resources needed for construction but also opens up new possibilities for creative and sustainable designs.
This means we can deliver affordable housing at a much faster rate,” she remarked.
Public Works Principal Secretary, Joel Arumonang, echoed Wahome’s sentiments, stressing the importance of embracing diversity and technology to drive Kenya’s construction sector forward.
He highlighted the need to incorporate AI tools to modernize construction processes, improve precision, and increase overall productivity.
Building the Future with AI
Wahome’s remarks signal a paradigm shift in the construction sector, where the focus is no longer solely on the quantity of housing units but also on the quality and efficiency of their production.
The adoption of AI could set a new standard for future housing projects in Kenya, making them faster to build, more affordable, and highly scalable.
The minister also noted the significant contributions Kenyans make to the Affordable Housing Fund, amounting to between Ksh 63 billion and Ksh 65 billion annually.
With this substantial financial backing, Wahome assured that her ministry is committed to using advanced technologies like AI to ensure the timely and successful delivery of homes, amid increasing urbanization and economic challenges.
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