Construction frenzy at Kitengela

By Ferdinand Mwongela

Twenty-seven kilometres to the south of Nairobi lies a small town that is growing fast and is well on the way to becoming a formidable residential and shopping centre. This is Kitengela, which is in Kajiado district and borders the Nairobi National Park on one side and Athi River on the other.

It is one of the suburbs outside the city that is fast becoming the place of choice for many migrating southwards. The name Kitengela refers to the plains on which the area lies. With the development of the settlement, the shopping centre took the same name.

Some residential houses in Kitengela.

Gaining favour

Getting into Kitengela is a bit of a scene, especially for a first time visitor. You must first pass the cement producing companies (Bamburi Cement and East African Portland Cement) located on the tarmacked tree-lined Namanga Road. The shopping centre is a hive of activity.

Owing to its location, the shopping centre is served by several filling stations, most of which are local brands. Nyama choma joints dot the area, which is hardly surprising considering this area originally belonged to the Maasais who still form a large proportion of the population.

Proof that this area is rapidly gaining favour among Kenyans is the high number of personal houses and small, medium and large-scale estates that are coming up at dizzying speed throughout Kitengela, right from the main road to remote corners in the interior where mud-walled huts are competing for space with stone houses.

Rental land

Similarly, commercial office blocks and shopping malls are either opening up or in various stages of construction. There is also an apparent shift from iron sheets — the mabati ni simba days — to tiles, which stare at you from every direction. Although land further inland appears idle, fences round plots prove otherwise.

Land and property prices are not as high as those in Nairobi but, due to the increasing demand, rates are rising gradually. Depending on the locality, an acre of land will sell for as low as Sh100,000 up to Sh1.5 million. Those bordering the shopping centre have concentrated settlements and cost up to Sh4 million.

House prices vary from between Sh4.5 million to Sh19 million, depending on size, facilities and location. Rental charges range between Sh500 to Sh30,000 depending on materials used (whether mabati or stone), facilities, services, location and size. Those wiling to rent land for grazing can also do so for about Sh2,000 per month.