With the fast-growing real estate market in Kenya attributable to a fast-growing population and the increased determination of Kenyans to own homes, Kenya has recorded a rise in demand for sustainable real estate and green mixed-use developments. Green buildings are designed to reduce their negative impact on the environment, consume less energy, conserve water, offer better waste management, and offer quality living by prioritizing the occupants’ well-being and even their health.
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Kenyan contemporary home buyers have shown a preference for sustainable real estate and will pay more for sustainable features. Green buildings use intelligent lighting controls, solar panels, and wind turbines to generate renewable energy, which in turn reduces carbon emissions to the environment and reduces strain on the national power grid. As well, the green developments have well-developed pedestrian pathways and cycling lanes to reduce the use of fuel-driven cars, especially on short errands. Likewise, green buildings prioritize rain water harvesting, recycling of waste water and installation of water efficient fixtures that minimize water wastage. This in turn, reduces the strain on natural water sources like groundwater and rivers. In addition, green buildings offer large windows that offer natural light and passive orientations that offer natural heating and cooling of the building.
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The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Green Economy Strategy Implementation Plan (GESIP) 2016–2030 targets seek to promote sustainable design, construction, and maintenance of buildings. The goal is to ensure 75% of new and renovated large-scale buildings are green by 2030.
In support of going green, Absa Bank donated Ksh 2.0 billion to increase off-grid solar energy adoption across the country, which comes after the bank received certification for integrating green building technology in fitting energy-efficient LED lights throughout its highlights, which has reduced its carbon footprint significantly.
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