Background and Location
Located in Kajiado County, both Athi River & Kitengela (bordering each other) are, approximately, 35km from the Nairobi CBD, off the main Nairobi-Mombasa Highway. Before the two towns is the Syokimau area, to which we have done a substantive review. Average driving distance between the locations is 15km.
Initially, Kitengela’s main occupants were the Maasai pastoralist community, whose main economic activity was cattle herding to the mid 1970s, when the Kitengela Group ranch was launched. The new generation of Maasais do not have a deep attachment to the traditional land ownership, which is now paving way for the development of real estate properties and the attendant, infrastructure, and other social amenities.
Transport & Accessibility Testing
A key station of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) exists at Athi River, linking Nairobi to the coastal town of Mombasa. A local station for shorter inland travel, including to and from the Nairobi CBD is also located here. It takes about four hours to ride by train to the Coastal town’s Miritini Station for the SGR.
The area also now benefits from the Isinya Pipeline Rd., linking Kitengela to Kiserian and the Nairobi Expressway from Mlolongo to Westlands in Nairobi, with stops at South C, Nairobi CBD, Museum Hill and Westlands.
Matatus (shared public transport service vehicles) and motor cycles are the regular mode of transport. For private travel, uber and other private service providers service the area.
Safety, Security & Governance
Security is adequately provided, with fully accredited police stations located in both suburbs. Various neighbourhood groups, supplemented by private security arrangements supplement the security establishment. Numerous gated communities are preferred for shared security costs.
Personal Amenities: Banking, Education & Health
Kitengela & Athi River host many schools covering both international and local curricular. Daystar University has a campus in Athi River.
Recognized schooling institutions Lakewood Emerald School and Kitengela International Schools (British international curriculum).
All the major bank also have branches here.
The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karen hospital and St paul hospital and the Nairobi Women’s hospital comprise the major medical institutions.
Recreation and Shopping
Many up-mark restaurants make their home here, in addition to the Kenyan “Nyama Choma” (roasted meat) from the joints in the area. Formal establishments for family hostings also apply. .
Mini-malls abound here, with many supermarkets as anchor tenants. The malls also offer a good selection of food restaurants, banks, ATMs, pharmacies, entertainment spots for the kids and have ample parking spaces.
Various locations also feature informal food places, many offering roast meat (“nyama choma”). The night crowds have not been left out, with the many modern clubs located in the vicinity. Swimming facilities are also in abundance.
Other Attractions
The Nairobi National park is in the vicinity. It is the only park in the world bordering a national city. The park is a Rhino’s sanctuary and home to numerous animal species, including lions, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, gazelles
At the Ostrich Farm, receive education on ostriches and their economic value (including eggs and skin), topped up with a sumptuous cuisine based on ostrich meat. Ostrich rides are also a delight.
The Nkasiri Adventure Park is a recreation and sports center and an ultimate team-building destination. It is also a perfect place for corporate and family events. The park also forms an excellent camping site with several fun activities such as high rope and other team-building sports.
The GMC place is an alcoholic-free amusement centre for family entertainment. They are also home to a restaurant where you can enjoy a meal as the kids play and also lease out venues for special occasions demanding large groups, including weddings.
Founded to just recycle glass, The Kitengela hot glass limited now also offers glass art, scrap design metal, sculptures, etc. Other offerings include horse riding and swimming.
Utilities & Infrastructure
Infrastructure development in the area has been steady, from tarmacked roads, water and sewerage to electricity, aiming to serve the larger population comfortably.
The area is well served by Kenya Power and private boreholes generally supplement piped provided by the government agencies.
Property Developments
Many industrial investments have been established in area. This include Simba cement. , the East Africa Portland Cement (EAPC), Devki Steel Mills and Bamburi Cement.
With the many industrial, commercial and other businesses in the area, residential communities abound.
Kitengela and Athi River are attractive locations for investors, attributable to the close proximity to the Nairobi CBD and the Nairobi Expressway for faster commute, upto Westlands, in Nairobi. . With the steady population rise and continuous infrastructure development,lLand in these areas will be very pricey.
The two regions are also located in close proximity to construction supplies, with many related manufacturers, such as the East Africa Portland Cement and Bamburi Cement located here (they also provide demand for housing and other personal amenities). The Export Processing Zone is also in the vicinity.
Zoning laws also facilitate ownership of small plots of acres, e.g. 80*100ft (1/8th of an acre). This provides a great opportunity for property developers.
Link to property sales and investment offerings by our group
Link to commercial property auctions in Kenya
Link to our Builders Edge Unit full offerings
Sam Kagiri (info@buildersedge.co.ke) +254 722 713264