Gigiri, a five star residential area

By Allan Olingo

The scenery changed as we drove down Limuru Road passed Muthaiga roundabout. Dusty streets and whitewashed buildings were replaced with beautifully manicured mansions and carefully done lawns. It even smelled differently.

Nestled in rich green environment between Runda and Muthaiga suburb is Gigiri, a five star area according to Hass. Separated from the city centre by the expansive Karura Forest and several low wooded hills, Gigiri is a highly acclaimed secure neighbourhood favoured by diplomatic missions and United Nation.

The area is characterised by a low population and lavish homes with sprawling beautifully landscaped gardens.

The Warwick Centre, Cafe des Arts and Gigiri Shopping Centre provide a lovely one-stop entertainment and shopping centre, making Gigiri a self-sufficient neighbourhood.

Upmarket centres

Nairobi’s most upmarket shopping centre, The Village Market is situated here and boasts of a multi-screen cinema, restaurants, food courts, Nakumatt supermarket and dozens of boutique shops. Designed to resemble an open-air African market, Village Market also has waterfalls, rivers, plants and gardens.

The roads here are clearly marked and relatively free of matatus, though they still act as a link between Gigiri, Runda and central Nairobi along the principal highway, Limuru Road, but once you are off into the residential areas, public transport is scarce.

There are certain no go areas within the neighbourhood especially around the UN complex area and the United States Embassy.

The menacing looking General Service Unit personnel are enough to drive a chill down anyone’s spine.

Aesthetic value

Security here is second to none and any slow moving vehicle is viewed with suspicion. On one occasion, we had to contend with mean looking foreigners clad in suits and dark sunglasses. There are no major apartments here due to security concerns and also the city bylaws prohibit them. However, there are a few cottages.

The internationally acclaimed Tribe Hotel adds to the aesthetic value of this hood.

With a close proximity to Gertrude’s Hospital in Muthaiga, this area also boasts of having a diagnostic laboratory of the Nairobi Hospital located at the Warwick Centre.

A noticeable miss within this hood is the lack of mosques or temples but the nearby Karura Community Chapel is one of the religious places where residents can go for spiritual nourishment.

An area acclaimed for its rich green environment, Gigiri has managed to be an area where only rich expatriates reside. Even high profile Kenyans shy away from this hotel.