Investors eye prime Mtwapa creek as North Coast property values climb

The Moorings, Kenya's first floating restaurant.[File] The scenic Mtwapa Creek that straddles between Mombasa and Kilifi border, has quietly transformed from a calm coastal spot into an exciting real estate areas along North Coast. Mtwapa is a 14-kilometre-long tidal inlet located 16 kilometres north of Mombasa and widely known for its lush mangrove forest, bird watching and a vibrant tourism-driven boat culture popular for scenic sunset boat cruises and kayaking and scuba diving. Mtwapa Creek is home to various high-end luxurious accommodations and waterfront dining options, like the Marina Seafood Restaurant and The Moorings, Kenya's first floating restaurant. Judy Leichum, a veteran hospitality entrepreneur and real estate developer with over three decades of experience, speaks fondly of Mtwapa Creek as a haven for real estate. She notes that majority of the real estate properties developed in the area such as La Marina Seaside Villas, encompasses architectural works centred on curating guests' memorable experiences, whether for holidays, weddings or private getaways, through thoughtfully designed spaces that feel both luxurious and personal where high-quality stays consistently leave strong guest satisfaction and repeated bookings. Leichum says there is a surge in properties alongside the creek with all waterfront developments that have premium lifestyle with majority of these properties matching the best across the globe. ''From an investment standpoint, waterfront real estate is inherently scarce, and scarcity drives long-term value appreciation. Properties here command higher occupancy and pricing, especially for short-term rentals and holiday homes. Also, the growing demand for conference facilities at the Kenyan Coast has led to investors like Leichum to venture into construction of modern conference halls that are keen to fully utilise solar power to meet all the energy needs. "We are conscious of sustainable and renewable energy, hence, the huge shift from over-reliance on the national power grid to sourcing natural energy, which we will tap from abundant solar availability," she said. Leichum noted that as part of their plan for a well-preserved environment, they have employed staff whose work is to ensure that the creek waters are clear of debris like plastics. "There are personnel whose work is to fish out litter that floats on water and also a specialised diver to remove dirt that sinks beneath the creek waters,'' she said. Leichum further noted that the influx of boaters that make Mtwapa Creek have a flotilla of luxury yachts, small sails and fishing boats has highly contributed to the rising tides of the area as it has provided ready income to boat owners and a source of entertainment to Kenyans and foreigners sampling water attractions. ''We are having a good time, as yachting seems to be taking root right on our doorsteps,'' Captain Swaleh Kitsao Zero, skipper of the largest yacht moored along the Mtwapa Creek. Alice Gathumbi, the general manager of Marina Seaside Restaurant, says that Mtwapa Creek has continued to attract visitors and investors who have fallen in love with the tranquil nature of the place. "It is on the edge of a beautiful creek away from congestion felt in major towns like Mombasa. This is a real holiday paradise where one can come for relaxation,'' she said. Building expert engineer David Jomeli states that majority of these developments have been influenced by the construction of the new Mtwapa bridge. "Once complete, it will make movement between Mombasa and the North Coast much easier, cutting down traffic and opening up the area for more development. Because of this, property values have already started going up,'' he said. He said that high-end beachfront villas in the area are selling for between sh80 million and sh150 million. Gated communities are also becoming popular, offering security, privacy and shared amenities. But it's not only luxury buyers that are investing in the area. There's also a growing market for modern but affordable homes. Many developers are offering off-plan or under-construction houses, making it possible for middle-income investors to get a foothold in the area before prices rise further. ''For anyone thinking long-term, getting in early could turn out to be a smart move, but like any investment, it's important to choose wisely," Jomeli said.

Investors eye prime Mtwapa creek as North Coast property values climb

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