For years, thousands of Kenyans living abroad have sent millions of shillings back home to build their dream homes—only to face delays, inflated costs, and at times, outright fraud. Now, a new partnership led by Optiven Limited is looking to change that narrative for good.
Teaming up with Cooperative Bank of Kenya and Everstrong Maskani LLP, Optiven has launched a housing solution that specifically addresses the pain points of diaspora investors: trust, transparency, and timely delivery.
At the heart of the initiative is the Maskani Bora Turnkey Project, which guarantees end-to-end delivery of modern homes within 12 months—from land acquisition to house handover—without the need for clients to be physically present.
“Diaspora Kenyans have often been the target of dishonest middlemen and unreliable contractors,” said George Wachiuri, CEO of Optiven Limited.
“We want to be the bridge between their dreams and reality, by offering a verified, accountable, and secure process.”
With Optiven handling land ownership, Everstrong Maskani LLP leading construction, and Cooperative Bank providing up to KSh 10.5 million in mortgage financing, the collaboration eliminates fragmented communication and the risks of working with unvetted players.
“No more sending money to relatives and waiting for years to see results,” said Henry Kyanda, Managing Partner at Everstrong Maskani LLP.
“You now have a clear structure, updates at every step, and a team that’s accountable from start to finish.”
According to Co-op Bank, diaspora Kenyans are eligible for the Kenya Mortgage Refinancing Company (KMRC) loans, as long as the value of the home does not exceed KSh 15 million.
“This is about more than just housing. It’s about giving our diaspora citizens the confidence to invest back home,” said Japhet Kahindi Ponda, Head of Mortgage Finance at Cooperative Bank.
“We’ve streamlined the process to be inclusive and efficient, regardless of where you live.”
Already, Optiven has seen an uptick in inquiries from Kenyans in the U.S., U.K., Middle East, and parts of Europe, many of whom are relieved to finally find a package that meets their standards of professionalism.
With a single coordinated platform, the partnership hopes to restore faith in the Kenyan housing sector, especially for a diaspora community that contributes over KSh 600 billion annually to the country through remittances.
“We want to make sure that every shilling they send home builds not just a house, but a future,” said Wachiuri.
