Where Kisumu’s rich reside

By Harold Ayodo

An evening drive within the leafy Milimani suburbs, adjacent to Lake Victoria shows new developments across the up-market area of Kisumu.

Flats and apartments are rising on the at least one-acre parcels of land, where mansions and bungalows once dominated.

Investors are scrambling for vantage positions for the apartments to overlook the second largest fresh water lake in the world. Private developers say prospective owners adore the view of the sunrise and sunset over the lake.

Most of the constructions are reminiscent of the modern apartments along Riverside Drive across Kileleshwa to Lavington in Nairobi.

The Sectional Properties Act No. 21 of 1987 provides for the private ownership of houses within high-rise residential and commercial buildings; and residents in the lakeside town are embracing this possibility.

Apartments offer more people a chance to own property

The concept of sectional titles began in the developed world where the high population vis-‡-vis small areas of land forced development of apartments.

Milestone in town

Sectional titles are based on the principle that each floor or house of an apartment is, in law, deemed a separate parcel of land capable of independent acquisition.

The emerging developments are a milestone in a town where insufficient housing has forced over 60 per cent of residents to live in informal settlements.

Statistics from the Municipal Council of Kisumu show that 80 per cent of land in the area is rural after inclusion within its boundaries in 1971. The municipality says rapid urbanisation trends coupled with low investment in infrastructure has resulted in enormous pressure on the urban amenities.

Kisumu has a population of slightly over 500,000 people with an annual growth rate of 2.8 per cent and densities of 828 persons per square kilometre. Park View Apartments are among the first complete of such upcoming constructions, where affluent families reside.

Golda Sawala who is a resident in the leafy residential area describes the upcoming apartments as a real estate ‘wake up call’ in the area.

She says the package that comes with living in the area is too tempting to move out, arguing its serenity is another plus.

"The neighbourhood is excellent out here…there are good public and private schools, hospitals and hotels — the basics of life," she says.

She adds that the apartments will give more people a chance of owning property in an area where houses go for up to Sh20 million per unit.

"There is a lot to look for in residential houses especially for people who do not mind spending more on housing," she says.

"Milimani is an area where most people with higher disposable income want to live given its numerous advantages," says Eric Ounga, Director Ounga Commercial Agencies (OCA).

Changing the face of the town

The 24 housing units have changed the face of Tom Mboya Drive — home to ancient and modern maisonettes of assorted architectural designs. Diana Luxury Apartments are among the constructions coming up to change the real estate sub-sector in the lakeside town.

OCA marketer Mary Onam says the first five three bed-roomed units at the apartments will sell for Sh5.5 million.

"We encourage more people to buy the apartments, which is an emerging reality in Kisumu," Onam says.

The units will go for Sh7.5 million each after the first five buyers have made their initial payments.

Colonial bungalows in expansive compounds are also under reconstruction as new owners take over. Ounga says Milimani remains a hot cake because of its proximity to the central business district.

"Milimani has better infrastructure which, includes roads, electricity and consistent water supply compared to other residential areas in Kisumu," Ounga says.

It is an area that has hotels and guesthouses that the high and mighty frequent during tours to the former Port Florence.

Ounga feels that the high-rise apartments are the way towards addressing the shortage of houses in up-market locations in the area.