History of Utawala Utawala is one of the localities located in Embakasi, east of Nairobi. Being about 16 kilometers from Nairobi CBD makes the area very accessible and has attracted many inhabitants over time. Utawala got its name from the Administrative police college in the area. The area begun like any other satellite town near Nairobi, with scattered houses, poor infrastructure and scarce...

Umoja is one of Nairobi’s suburb that is located about 8 km from CBD in the Eastlands area. It is part of the larger Embakasi sub-county and is divided into three localities: Umoja 1, Umoja 2, and Umoja Innercore. People often move here due to its proximity to Nairobi and the affordable housing options available. History of Umoja Umoja’s history dates back to the times when Nairobi was a...

One of the unavoidable costs that comes with owning a house is definitely the electricity bill. And while most places have access to power, the cost of electricity has really gone up. I remember a time when my friend received a monthly bill of Kes 120,000 for his 3-bedroom home. You see, the current state of monopoly in power companies as well as high demand for power has led to a spike in the cost of...

Installing solar panels is a long-term investment. However, small mistakes during installation can lead to poor performance, damage, or higher costs later. What is quite shocking is the fact that most customers are not aware of such faults until it is too late. For this blog, we have decided to highlight some of the common issues installers make, as well as how you can easily spot them. Here are some of...

What are land rates? Land rates is simply a form of property tax paid yearly to the local county government by a land owner. It is based on the unimproved value of your land and the amount varies depending on; your location, land size and amenities provided. Unimproved value means, the value of the land without buildings or any improvement – when bare.    Rates are paid as a statutory obligation...

What is Airbnb? By now, I am sure a majority of you readers are familiar with the term Airbnb. For those who might be green on this, it is a platform that enables owners to rent out their properties to short-stay visitors. The concept behind it is quite simple. And it allows landlords to make an extra coin from parts of their property that would otherwise be vacant. The platform, which began in 2008,...

House hunting in Nairobi can be quite a hustle. In a city with millions of people and not so many developments coming up compared to this growing number, the demand for houses is becoming crazy. Finding something that is within budget, is comfortable, and comes with the right amenities is quite hard. And let’s not get started on the many conmen waiting to prey on innocent tenants. The housing market in...

What is Airbnb? Airbnb is a platform where property owners choose to rent out part of their houses, like a DSQ. You can also choose to rent out the entire property on a short-term basis. It is majorly used by travelers who don’t want to stay in a hotel and would rather have a ‘home-like’ experience. It also helps property owners make money from parts of their house that are...

In today’s economy, where the pace of business is a bit slower, most people find themselves at the point of seeking debt. Whether it is a personal loan or for your business, you can bear me witness that borrowing in Kenya is becoming costly. From the complex loan application process to the high interest rates. The system appears to intentionally frustrate you, the borrower. The truth is that with the...

Land buying and selling forms a key part of Kenya’s real estate market. And a very important one for that matter. Consider this: without land, you cannot build, and if you cannot build, you cannot sell or rent out your property. That is why I think it is important for you to understand land and how it is transacted.   Sadly, there has been a shortfall in information regarding land, and the few people...