2026

Understanding the Risk: Why Rainy Season Sand Requires Extra Caution When ordering river sand for construction in Kenya, timing matters more than most builders realize. During the country's rainy seasons—particularly the long rains from March to July and the short rains from October to December—river sand quality can be significantly compromised. Understanding this risk is essential for anyone...

The Sarova Stanley Hotel stands as Kenya's first luxury hotel, established in 1902 when Nairobi was merely a railway halt. Located at the junction of Kenyatta Avenue and Kimathi Street in Nairobi's Central Business District, this five-star heritage hotel has witnessed over 120 years of Kenyan history while maintaining its position as one of the capital's premier hospitality destinations. Named after...

The Kenyan real estate market has witnessed a troubling surge in off-plan property scams, with hundreds of homebuyers losing millions of shillings to fraudulent developers. While buyer due diligence is critical, attributing these scams solely to buyer ignorance oversimplifies a complex problem involving systemic regulatory gaps, sophisticated fraud tactics, and predatory business practices. Recent...

The Unexpected School of Patience Construction in Kenya is more than laying bricks and pouring concrete. It is an intensive course in patience that transforms even the most impatient professionals into masters of measured deliberation. The industry's unique challenges—from managing diverse teams to navigating complex supply chains and volatile cash flows—create a crucible where patience becomes...

By Makao Bora Research Team | February 2026 Kenya's construction and trade services sector presents compelling opportunities for entrepreneurs in specialized trades. While international data indicates that plumbing businesses achieve net profit margins between 10-20%, electrical installation services benefit from Kenya's expanding grid connectivity (447,251 new connections in 2024), and roofing businesses...

In Kenya's rapidly growing construction sector, one dangerous practice continues to appear on construction sites: placing reinforced concrete columns directly on top of existing machine-cut stone masonry walls. This structural error represents a fundamental misunderstanding of load distribution principles and has contributed to numerous building failures across the country. This article examines why this...

Merica Hotel is a 94-room establishment situated along Kenyatta Avenue in the heart of Nakuru town, positioning itself as a premium hospitality destination in Kenya's fourth-largest city. Built in 2000 and renovated in 2012, this six-story property combines business and leisure facilities to serve both corporate and tourism markets. Location and Accessibility Strategic Urban Position The hotel occupies...

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill stands as one of Kenya's premier luxury accommodations, combining international hospitality standards with strategic positioning in Nairobi's bustling business district. Located on Elgon Road in Upper Hill, this 5-star property has established itself as a preferred choice for corporate travelers, diplomats, and discerning leisure guests seeking quality and...

Ole Sereni Hotel, which opened in 2009, represents one of Kenya's early strategic luxury hospitality investments targeting business and transit clientele near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Located along Mombasa Road with direct views of Nairobi National Park, the property has established itself as a significant player in Kenya's hospitality sector, later expanding with the addition of the...

Exposed brickwork has emerged as a distinctive architectural finish in Kenya's construction landscape, offering homeowners an alternative to traditional plastered and painted walls. While this finish highlights the natural texture and character of clay bricks, the decision to leave brickwork exposed requires careful evaluation of both practical and aesthetic factors within the Kenyan...

In Kenya's rapidly evolving construction industry, trusses have become an essential structural element for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. From the sprawling warehouses in Nairobi Industrial Area to the modern residential estates in Kiambu and the large-span structures at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, trusses serve as the backbone of modern roofing systems. One fundamental...

In Kenya's rapidly urbanizing landscape, construction sites are increasingly characterized by tight spaces and properties built close to boundary lines. When new developments require deep excavations adjacent to existing boundary walls or neighboring structures, underpinning becomes a critical construction technique. This comprehensive guide examines underpinning practices in Kenya, focusing on how this...

An Evidence-Based Guide for Property Owners and Construction Professionals When diagonal or stepped cracks appear on a building's walls in Kenya, the immediate assumption is often foundation subsidence—a shift in the position of the foundation. While this is indeed a common cause, limiting crack diagnosis to subsidence alone can lead to misdiagnosis, improper repairs, and recurring problems. This...

When you walk into a hardware store in Nairobi, Mombasa, or any other Kenyan city looking for cement, you'll notice bags labeled with terms like "32.5N," "32.5R," "42.5N," or "42.5R." While manufacturers market these as "general purpose cement," there's a critical misconception that needs addressing: not all general purpose cement is created equal, and understanding the differences between these...

Protecting Your Foundation From Tree Roots Trees add beauty, shade, and value to any property. However, when planted too close to buildings, certain tree species can pose serious risks to your foundation. For Kenyan homeowners, this concern is particularly relevant given the prevalence of eucalyptus trees and the widespread presence of expansive clay soils, commonly known as black cotton soil. This...

A provocative question circulating among structural engineering professionals asks: "If you have to commit a reinforcement error, would you rather over or under reinforce an RCC member?" This question, while seemingly academic, represents a dangerous mindset that has contributed to Kenya's alarming rate of building collapses. The reality is stark and non-negotiable: neither over-reinforcement nor...

Standing prominently along Chiromo Road in Nairobi's upscale Westlands neighborhood, Villa Rosa Kempinski represents the pinnacle of luxury hospitality in Kenya. This five-star establishment has become an iconic landmark in the capital city, distinguished by its unique rose-pink facade and Mediterranean-inspired architecture. Since opening its doors in September 2013, the hotel has established itself as...

Westgate Shopping Mall stands as one of Nairobi's most significant retail landmarks, representing both the city's commercial ambitions and its remarkable capacity for recovery. Located along Mwanzi Road in the upscale Westlands division, this shopping complex has become synonymous with resilience, having overcome one of Kenya's most tragic events to re-emerge as a premier shopping destination. Historical...

By Makaobora Team | Architecture & History Standing prominently at the corner of Kenyatta Avenue and Kimathi Street, the distinctive red-brick building now housing Stanbic Bank represents a significant chapter in Nairobi's architectural evolution. Originally built as Torr's Hotel in the late 1920s, this structure holds multiple historical distinctions that have been the subject of much...

The Case for Proper Pinning Techniques in Construction In Kenya's rapidly growing construction industry, masonry remains the dominant building method for residential and commercial structures. However, a common practice during walling continues to undermine the structural integrity and longevity of buildings across the country: the overuse of mortar to fill gaps between masonry units. This seemingly...