Runda; Mae Ridge;property

By Harold Ayodo

Curtains are coming down on residential developments at the traditionally exclusive Runda. A new estate, Mae Ridge, with modern mansions is the new kid on the block.

It is clear why the wealthy would not hesitate to spend up to Sh50 million to purchase a home here. The increasing demand in the area has pushed up prices of half acre plots from Sh4.5 million five years ago to Sh20 million today.

At Mae Ridge each property comprises a half-acre with a separate title within a secure walled compound, unlike most multiple dwelling compounds in leafy areas.

Quality finish

A house in Mae Ridge Estate. [PHOTO: Martin Mukangu/Standard]

It is a green environment with a solar water heating system and electrical inverters or generators each with three-phase mains electricity supply.

The 20 homes designed by Triad and Beglin Woods Architects are four and five bedrooms each standby on expertly manicured goldens. They have contemporary kitchens, breakfast, study and family/television rooms, a double carport and two staff quarters.

These are the last of 81 homes set for construction on the last 56 acres of land set for residential homes in the Runda area.

According to the owners – Pan Africa Insurance Holdings Ltd and its subsidiary Mae Properties Ltd, another 20 acres is set aside for commercial development.

Expensive affair

For starters, Pan Africa Life bought 1,000 acres at Runda when it was a coffee farm in the late 1960s and converted it into an exclusive suburb.

Pan Africa Life General Manager (Finance and Administration) Stephen Kamanda says their intention was to close the chapter in Runda in style.

"The homes are the best we have constructed here over the past 40 years," Kamanda says.

The built-in kitchen and bedroom wardrobes are specialist designed with kitchens from Nobilia brand in Germany.

The homes have quality finish with extensive use of hand cut stone local hardwoods and a wide range of handcrafted work.

Most homes in Runda rent from at least Sh250,000 because of its ambience, proper infrastructure, security and social amenities. For instance, Runda Water Ltd provides piped water to all residents of old Runda and Runda Mimosa and consumers billed uniformly at the end of the month.

The road cleaning team, which consists of ten permanent employees, operates all over the estate on a daily basis except in Runda Evergreen Estate.