The idea of homestays was a novel one. That one could open up their home to travellers for a night or longer, and they would experience all the comfort of being in a home: the furnished apartment, the open balconies, the fully-stocked kitchen, maybe even a swimming pool winking in the afternoon sun out in the yard.
When Airbnbs hit the Kenyan market, they hit hard, and the market has been reeling ever since. They were at once immensely popular, offering a cheap alternative to fancy hotels and a far more attractive option for couples and large groups.