A grand mix of people and business in South C

By Harold Ayodo

South C estate is regaining its ambience after the Nairobi City Council demolished illegal structures in the area recently. Emerging architectural designs — interior and exterior — are also rejuvenating the residential area adjacent to Mombasa Road.

Repaired streetlights, re-carpeted roads and residential houses converted into guesthouses are among the noticeable changes in the middle-class estate. Property owners also refurbishing the interior of their old family houses using modern and medieval architectural designs borrowed from the West and Far East. Home renovators, for instance, are adopting corbels and cocktails of traditional paste, paint and other special effects to spruce up walls. Corbels, which originate from ancient architecture, have been used in buildings in the West and Far East for centuries.

"It costs Sh350,000 to give an interior facelift to a mansion. It is cheaper for smaller houses," Primatech International’s director Wally Mohamed says, adding that several homeowners and investors are buying property and renovating them before re-selling at a profit.

Sprouting hotels and guesthouses in South C are also embarking on the designs that are spreading to nearby estates along Lang’ata Road. These, together with the conversion of residential houses into guesthouses, are the most recognisable developments in South C especially along Ole Shaparo and Muhoho Avenue. They include Mariakani Guest House (under renovation) and South C Men’s Hostel. Holiday homes include Westside Villa, Evening Shade Guest House, Bush House Camp and Hanan Guest House.

Part of South C that borders Wilson Airport, Nairobi West, South B and Langata is home to several citizens of Somali origin, Asians and Arabs. Several popular musicians like Nameless, E-Sir, Big Pin, Habib, Manga, Longombas and K-rupt were bred in the area where chewing of miraa is a social activity among the youth.

South C is also home to numerous hangouts. Apart from the famous Nairobi West joints nearby, South C Shopping Centre also has sports bars for the young at heart.

The headquarters of the Kenya Red Cross Society and the Criminal Investigation Department Training School of the Kenya Police are also located in this neighbourhood. Other offices include the National Environmental Management Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Kenya Institute of Management and Kenya Industrial Research Institute.

Increased cost

Samra Hotel, Presbyterian Guest House, Nairobi South Medical Centre, Winka Academy and Mama Ngina Children’s Home are among the landmark buildings in the estate. Other institutions along the two avenues include Step Junior Academy, Day Care Webbz Educational Centre and Khalsa Boys and Girls Primary Schools.

The developments have increased the value of residential and commercial real estate in this area. Proximity to the Central Business District is also another factor. To get to this hood, get matatus number 12C from Afya Centre on Mfangano Street. They charge Sh50 during rush hours and Sh30 off-peak.

A three-bedroomed house goes for at least Sh30,000 while single bedroom houses cost between Sh12,000 and Sh15,000 per month. Rent for bed-sitters is Sh8,000. Interestingly, in an estate that was once a preserve of mansions and bungalows, there are numerous flats and apartments. Others are still under construction. At Oluvimu Road, for instance, is a modern high-rise flat compared to the posh South C Gardens near the shopping centre that is yet to be fully occupied.

Ongoing construction of the multi-storied Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church opposite the Mosque will also improve the face of the area. Other residential houses are on construction atop existing buildings at Katiba.