When you hear about Tatu City, what comes to mind? For many people it is often a city with many rules; to some it is a safe haven for local celebrities. But for the majority of people, they just don’t know, and I don’t blame them.
Tatu City has been sort of hidden to many, as it is nestled within the outskirts of Nairobi. There are no public service vehicles passing in Tatu City, and so, it has been out of reach for most people.
Introduction
In this blog, I am here to clear the air about Tatu City. What it actually is, and the promises it holds for our country, as well as the real estate side of it. If you have time, you can visit the area to see our national progress.
So Tatu City is what we call a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). This is simply an area within the country where businesses get special benefits to encourage investment and development. Some of these benefits include
- Lower taxes or no taxes at all for a while.
- Simplified rules and paperwork to make starting or running a business faster.
- Better infrastructure, like roads, electricity, and ports, to support trade.
Tatu City is Kenya’s first operational SEZ. And currently, owing to its good running, it attracts two-thirds of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Kenya.
History of Tatu City
Tatu City was originally owned by the Belgian Socfinaf coffee farm before being acquired by Rendeavour in 2010, the company in charge of Tatu City. It sits comfortably on a 5,000-acre piece of land 20 kilometers from Nairobi CBD.
Rendeaour is a company that develops city concepts across Africa, and Tatu City is part of their vision for African cities of the future.
Location & Accessibility
Tatu City is located in Kiambu County and sits on Ruiru Sub-county. You can access Tatu City using Thika Road, Eastern Bypass, the Northern Bypass, and Kamiti Road. It is also 30 minutes from Nairobi CBD. 40 minutes from JKIA airport, and in my view, it is tucked away from all the noise the city gives but not so far that you miss the action.
How to Get to Tatu City
To get to Tatu City, I would suggest using the eastern bypass or Thika superhighway and alighting at the Kihunguro stage. From there, you will find matatus or tuk-tuks that charge Kes 50 to Tatu City.
Once you alight at the entrance, you should see concrete pillars with signage displaying ‘Tatu City.’ From there on you can decide whether to walk or cycle to your destination.
If you are driving, then it is important for you to maintain the safety rules given. Please ensure you adhere to the city speed limit and stop at red lights.
What happens in Tatu City?
We have learned about what Tatu City is and its history, as well as how to get there. But one other question people ask is, what happens in Tatu City? The answer is simple: the development exemplifies a model concept of future cities. This combines residential, commercial, and industrial zones tied up into one package.
Think of it as a place where you can live, work, and play. The name Tatu, meaning “three” in Swahili, gives language to this concept. With that said, you can decide to buy land or an apartment in Tatu City. Rent out a living space if you would like. You can also work in the close to 100 factories and businesses in the city. And when you want to relax, there are swimming pools, clubhouses, and gyms for you.
Owing to the fact that the city itself is in charge of supplying utilities like water, power & waste collection, services here are up to par with those of developed countries. So issues like blackouts, water problems, and littering are nonexistent.
Companies & Businesses in Tatu City
Dormans Coffee is a major coffee exporter and roaster in East Africa that has established its global headquarters at Tatu Industrial Park. It handles coffee processing, packaging, warehousing, and trading for both local and international markets.
2. Copia Global
A Kenyan e-commerce company that serves middle- and low-income households through a network of local agents. Its Tatu Industrial Park hub supports distribution and order fulfillment operations across Kenya.
A leading supplier of water and energy equipment in East Africa. Its 10,000 m² distribution center at Tatu Industrial Park supports logistics and supplies to over 70 branches across Africa.
4. Kenya Wine Agencies Ltd
A major beverage manufacturer and distributor, now part of Heineken’s global network. Its modern plant at Tatu City produces and bottles wines, spirits, and other beverages for the regional market.
5. Twiga Foods
An agritech and food distribution company that connects farmers and vendors through technology. It uses warehousing and logistics facilities within Tatu City to support its nationwide food supply chain.
6. Cooper K-Brands
A local manufacturer of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs). The company has expanded its operations at Tatu Industrial Park to boost production and distribution efficiency.
7. Friendship Group
A logistics and warehousing company providing infrastructure and industrial support services. It operates within Tatu City to serve manufacturers and distributors with modern facilities.
CCI International is a major business-process outsourcing (BPO) and contact-center operator. They currently own the large five-story facility at Tatu City which accommodates thousands of agents serving international clients. It’s slated to create 4,000+ jobs initially (and up to 10,000+ long term) and forms part of Tatu City’s office/services ecosystem.
9. Africa Logistics Properties (ALP)
A specialist logistics and industrial real estate developer that is building a “grade-A” warehousing/distribution complex at Tatu City. The facility is 50,000 m², located in the Tatu Industrial Park, and is designed for modern logistics users to improve efficiency & supply-chain infrastructure.
Schools in Tatu City
1. Nova pioneer tatu city
Nova Pioneer launched its flagship campus at Tatu City to provide pre-primary through secondary education. It includes a boarding options, that combines Kenya’s national curriculum with globally influenced teaching methods.
Crawford International School at Tatu City is part of the South Africa-based ADvTECH group. And it offers international-style education (including British curriculum options) from early years up to A-levels, catering to both local and expatriate families.
3. Tatu City Training Academy
The Tatu City Training Academy provides free vocational courses to youth from the local community, teaching skills such as masonry, plumbing, steel-fixing, electrical work, and tiling, with certification and job-placement support.
Properties & Developments in Tatu
When it comes to providing residential plots and housing, Tatu City has attracted numerous developers. Both local and international, to meet the increasing demand for modern, world-class homes. All the land sold is shovel-ready, meaning you can buy and begin construction immediately. This is because the land is serviced with roads, sewerage, electricity, and internet.
To make it easy for anyone wanting to reside at Tatu City, there are several options of land you could buy depending on your financial muscle.
1. Kijani Ridge
This section targets the higher-income group seeking serviced plots within a controlled gated community. Land sizes range from 1/8-acre to half-acre, and prices start from 4.9 million on the smaller lots to anywhere (22.6M-42M) on the larger half-acres.
| Lot Size | Price Range / Starting From |
| ¼ acre (≈ 0.25 acre) | From ~ Ksh 25.6 M |
| ½ acre (≈ 0.50 acre) | From ~ Ksh 46.4 M |
The underground power, security, and planned amenities are beginning to rob some high-end estates like Runda of their clientele. Having been at Kijani Ridge, I can confidently tell you the developments there are on another level.
2. Zuri Springs
Zuri Springs is much more affordable, and it is targeting the middle-income segment. You can get an eight-acre lot for 3,000,000. However, the property prices will vary depending on whether you want the residential, high-density, or industrial option.
| Lot Size | Price Range / Starting From |
| 1/8 acre | From ~ Ksh 2.2 M |
| ¼ acre (for high density/apartments) | From ~ Ksh 7.3 M |
| ½ acre (industrial use) | From ~ Ksh 10.9 M |
Apartments Available
If you don’t fancy the idea of buying a plot and going through the strenuous construction process, there is something for you. Because of the advantages Tatu City offers, a lot of international and domestic developers are flocking there to build homes for the growing population.
What makes these developments even more appealing is their affordability. Especially for middle-income earners. At Tatu City, you’re not just paying for a home—you’re investing in a modern, well-planned lifestyle. Surrounded by green spaces, reliable infrastructure, and a vibrant community.
1. Unity Homes
One of the standout developments is Unity Homes, which offers elegant, contemporary apartments designed for comfort and convenience. Below is a summary of their rental prices:
| Unit Type | Monthly Rent (Approx.) |
| 1-Bedroom | Ksh 35,500 – Ksh 36,500 |
| 2-Bedroom | Ksh 56,500 – Ksh 58,500 |
| 3-Bedroom | Ksh 100,000 – Ksh 120,000 |
However, you could obviously negotiate the rent prices as most units are owned by individuals who bought them from the developer. You can hit us up and we would be glad to do the scouting and negotiations to give you much cheaper units.
2. Lifestyle Heights
Lifestyle Heights in Tatu City is an excellent choice. Designed to meet the needs of today’s urban professionals and families, the development offers spacious apartments within a secure, master-planned community.
| Unit Type | Selling Price (Approx.) | Projected Monthly Rental Income |
| 2-Bedroom Apartment | Ksh 7.5 Million | From Ksh 55,000 |
| 3-Bedroom Apartment | Ksh 12.5 Million | From Ksh 65,000 |
| 3-Bedroom Apartment with DSQ | Ksh 14.5 Million | From Ksh 65,000 |
Careers in Tatu City
One of the elements in the Live-Work-Play concept that is really important is the Work bit. Tatu City while operational, is still a work in progress and this means they are plenty of job opportunities for anyone at any skill level. From construction jobs, industrial jobs and even managerial jobs, Tatu City offers it all.
As the city continues to grow and expand, so does the demand for professionals and skilled labor continue to grow. To assist you with this, you can click the button below to get to the career portal and always stay on the look-out for new job postings.
