Kenya has officially launched its first Kenya National Buildings & Construction Decarbonization Roadmap (2026–2040), positioning the country as a regional leader in climate-responsive construction.
The roadmap, unveiled at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi, outlines a long-term strategy to transition the country toward zero-emission buildings. Mutua spoke on behalf of Principal Secretary Joel Arumonyang during the launch.
Buildings Account for 32% of Kenya’s Emissions
According to the State Department for Public Works, buildings contribute approximately 32% of Kenya’s total carbon dioxide emissions. This is largely due to low adoption of green building standards, limited awareness, rapid urbanisation and reliance on energy-intensive construction materials.
Kenya’s CO² emissions have risen sharply from 3.9 million tonnes in 1972 to 22.4 million tonnes in 2021. At the same time, the country faces an annual housing deficit of about 200,000 units, raising concerns about the climate cost of accelerated development.
Recent floods in 2025, which claimed lives and destroyed thousands of homes, have further highlighted the economic and human toll of climate inaction. Financial losses within the built environment are estimated at USD 2.3 billion annually.
Targeting 75% Emissions Reduction by 2040
The decarbonization roadmap aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector by 75% by 2040, ensuring that all new buildings meet green construction standards.
The strategy aligns with Kenya’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which commits the country to a 30% emissions reduction by 2030, rising to 32% conditional on international support.
Developed in partnership with the Global
Buildings Performance Network (GBPN) and other sector stakeholders, the roadmap sets out a pathway consistent with the Paris Agreement and the global 1.5°C climate target.
“Kenya’s roadmap is turning global climate commitments into local action,” said Kennedy Matheka of the State Department for Public Works.
Peter Graham, CEO of GBPN, noted that Kenya’s leadership reflects growing momentum for decarbonization across emerging markets.
The “Triple Win” for Housing and Cities
The roadmap promotes what officials described as a “Triple Win for Kenya’s Future Housing and Cities: Affordable, Sustainable, and Resilient.”
Architect George Arabbu of the Architectural Association of Kenya emphasised that healthy homes are critical, highlighting ventilation, daylight and thermal comfort as essential design elements that directly affect quality of life.
Financing the Green Transition
As implementation begins, the next phase will focus on mobilising capital through a proposed Kenya Buildings Decarbonization Finance Accelerator. The initiative aims to unlock investment and scale climate-resilient construction across the country.
Ms Mugure Njendu of GBPN stressed the importance of inclusive financing, noting that women, small enterprises and underserved communities must be enabled to participate in the green transition.
With the roadmap now in place, Kenya is seeking to balance its urgent housing needs with climate responsibility, signalling a shift toward low-carbon, resilient and future-ready urban development.