The first phase of Kenya's affordable housing project units, consisting of 228 houses, is to be completed by the end of December, a Kenyan official said on Tuesday.

Charles Hinga, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development of Kenya told Xinhua in Nairobi that China State Construction Engineering began construction works of the units in Nairobi in April.

"We are excited about the Chinese company because it has completed the works in good time." Hinga said on the sidelines of a regional urbanization conference. The two-day event brought together policymakers, academics and researchers to review ways at how to support more inclusive urbanization in East Africa's cities.

The project which is located in Ngara residential estate is the first development under the country's affordable housing program.

Hinga said that in total the project will consist of 1,370 units which are intended for low-income households. He said that the second phase consisting of 260 units will be finished in mid-2020 and the final phases by end of next year. In total, the Ministry hopes to roll out 500,000 affordable houses by the end of 2022.