Co-op Bank Partners with Optiven and Everstrong to Deliver Affordable Housing to Kenyans
Kenyans both at home and abroad are set to benefit from a newly launched housing initiative that seeks to make homeownership more accessible, affordable, and transparent. The Cooperative Bank of Kenya has partnered with leading real estate firm Optiven Limited and construction consultancy Everstrong Maskani LLP to roll out the Maskani Bora Turnkey Project — a comprehensive solution aimed at simplifying the journey to owning a home.
The partnership merges three critical components of homeownership: land acquisition, professional construction, and affordable financing. Under this arrangement, Optiven will help prospective homeowners acquire land, Everstrong will oversee home design and construction, and Co-op Bank will provide flexible financing options, including loans of up to KSh 10.5 million.
The loans, available under the Kenya Mortgage Refinancing Company (KMRC) model, are tailored for homes valued at no more than KSh 15 million. This makes the initiative particularly attractive to middle-income Kenyans seeking a hassle-free pathway to owning quality homes.
“Our vision is to transform communities economically and socially. By enabling people to own homes through this collaboration, families are socially empowered,” said George Wachiuri, CEO of Optiven Limited.
The project also promises to deliver completed homes within 12 months, reducing the long delays and uncertainties that often characterize home construction in Kenya. Transparency is a core component of the Maskani Bora Turnkey project, with detailed evaluations, progress checklists, and stakeholder oversight integrated at every stage.
“We are collaborating with trusted organizations and we do not require any money in advance. We will construct your home and hand over the keys,” said Henry Kyanda, Managing Partner at Everstrong Maskani LLP. “Throughout the process, customers will walk the journey with us, with evaluations, checks, and a detailed checklist at every stage.”
Japhet Kahindi Ponda, Head of Mortgage Finance at Co-op Bank, emphasized that both local and diaspora clients are eligible for the KMRC-backed financing. “The house selected should be valued at no more than KSh 15 million, and the loan applied for should not exceed KSh 10.5 million,” he clarified.
The initiative comes at a time when many Kenyans face challenges navigating the murky waters of land ownership, construction fraud, and expensive financing. By streamlining the entire process, this partnership offers a viable alternative for thousands dreaming of owning a home.
With affordability, quality, and trust at its core, the Maskani Bora Turnkey project is poised to be a game-changer in Kenya’s housing sector.
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Co-op Bank Partners with Optiven and Everstrong to Deliver Affordable Housing to Kenyans