Nairobi, March 8 -- For years, owning a home through a mortgage in Kenya has been seen as an unsuitable investment, with bankers tying this to the desire for a 'dream home' against low uptake in the country.

Most homebuyers aspire to have a standalone housing unit with a garden area or a luxury apartment, which means one would end up spending more or limiting their income.

Most of these developments are prime priced at Sh15 million, which most cannot afford.

However, the Head of Mortgage Retail and Business Banking at Absa Bank Kenya, John Kaburu, says the idea of a dream home can be changed to an affordable unit that can later be an investment when rented to diversify one revenue stream and ensure cash flows at retirement.

"Among the...