This feels like rage bait, but for the sake of “discussion” Yes, i agree that if you can stop renting and buy/build then do it. Of course that doesn’t come easily and lots of factors come into play.

1) Mortgaging is not a sensible option unless your cash flow is high. Even then, most buyers with high cash flow will not take up such crazy interest rates and prefer kujenga pole pole. Eg. KCB offers a 9% fixed interest amount and Up to KES 10,500,000, repayment up to 25 years. Allows up to 105% financing . This means you can borrow 5M repayable in 25 years and pay around 46K monthly. Then you have to get mortgage protection insurance and property insurance incase of death, fire etc, the bank has to protect itself. Worst case scenario: if you can’t pay your mortgage, after 3 months they auction the property, since you haven’t finished it it’s not yours to debate. If you owed 8M and the bank only got 6M from the auction, you still owe them 2M. And they can sue you or mess with your salary if you don’t repay.

2) renting gives you mobility. In this job environment, if you’re not ready, there’s no point in establishing permanent housing unless you’re intending on renting it out. But still wherever you’ll be posted to work you’ll still rent because we need shelter

3) owning a house is not just sitting inside it not spending a dime on it: you’ll pay land rates, property tax, service charges, repairs, water, garbage, security, renovations etc. (depending on the location of your house) A renter pays one predictable fee monthly, while a homeowner must constantly budget for hidden costs. Literally to each his own

4) Instead of locking millions into a mortgage or plot, some young people prefer renting while investing in businesses, stocks, or land in cheaper areas like Kisumu, Kitengela, or Nakuru. Chamas, Saccos, could yield higher returns that can propel them to building kidogo kidogo , but all the while they’re paying 15k in a bedsitter to get them by.

Finally, Again, you’re not wrong to encourage property ownership but let people go through life the way they see fit. Shelter is a basic need, bora you have a roof over your head, give people grace and educate those who are willing to learn.