When Sh4 could deny you access to a plot in Nairobi's South C

Across section of Nairobi’s South C’ area in this skyline photo taken on September 27, 2016. [File, Standard]

Today, if you dropped Sh4 on a dusty Nairobi street, chances are few passersby will pay any attention to it. With Sh4 you cannot afford even afford a sweet or a box of matches.

Half a century ago, this amount was enough for a developer to access a plot in South C estate, Nairobi. When the government invited bids from interested Kenyans willing to develop more than 6,400 acres of land, it demanded that interested parties buy the plan at Sh4 from the public map office in Nairobi.