A Systematic Review of Sustainable Building Materials and Construction Techniques for Affordable Housing in Kenya: An African Engineering Perspective,

The provision of affordable housing is a critical challenge in Kenya, exacerbated by rapid urbanisation. Conventional construction methods often involve high costs and negative environmental impacts, driving interest in sustainable alternatives within engineering. This systematic review synthesises and critically evaluates engineering research on sustainable building materials and construction techniques for affordable housing in Kenya. It aims to identify prevalent materials and methods, assess their technical performance and viability, and delineate gaps in the literature. A systematic search was executed across major academic databases for peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings. Studies were screened against predefined inclusion criteria, focusing on engineering research. Relevant data were extracted and analysed thematically. The review identified a predominant focus on locally sourced and processed waste materials, including compressed earth blocks, interlocking stabilised soil blocks, and composites incorporating agricultural or industrial by-products. A core theme was the technical validation of these materials' structural and thermal properties, with many demonstrating compliance with relevant standards. However, much of the literature reported laboratory or prototype-stage research, with scant documentation of full-scale implementation and long-term in-situ performance. Considerable engineering research has developed contextually appropriate sustainable materials, showing technical potential to reduce costs and environmental impact. The principal challenge remains the transition from research to widespread practical application and market adoption. Future engineering research should prioritise robust field testing and performance monitoring of implemented projects. Work is needed to develop integrated standardised codes, address production scalability, and conduct comprehensive life-cycle and cost-benefit analyses to inform policy and industry practice. Sustainable construction, affordable housing, building materials, Kenya, systematic review, engineering, compressed earth blocks, interlocking stabilised soil blocks This review consolidates the current state of engineering knowledge on sustainable building solutions for Kenya, providing a critical foundation for researchers and practitioners by mapping evidence and identifying priorities for future work to bridge the gap between research and application.