Cyrus Shakhalaga Khwa Jirongo was a name that dominated Kenyan political and business circles for over three decades. From his meteoric rise as the chairman of Youth for KANU '92 (YK'92) to his development of the iconic Hazina Estate in South B, Nairobi, Jirongo's life was marked by ambition, wealth, controversy, and ultimately, financial turbulence. His tragic death on December 13, 2025, in a road...

Standing majestically on a three-square-kilometer estate in Nairobi's Kilimani area, Kenya's State House has been the seat of power for over a century. This architectural masterpiece has witnessed the transition from colonial rule to independence, hosted world leaders, and stood as a silent observer to Kenya's most defining moments. Today, as the building undergoes its most dramatic transformation since...

Building a home or commercial property in Kenya is one of the most significant financial decisions you'll ever make. With construction costs fluctuating due to material prices, labour shortages, and economic conditions, proper budgeting isn't just helpful—it's essential to avoid costly mistakes and project abandonment. Whether you're planning a modest two-bedroom bungalow in rural Kenya or a luxurious...

Every homeowner eventually faces the question: should I tackle this project myself or call in a professional? With countless online tutorials and the appeal of saving money, it's tempting to grab your tools and dive in. But making the wrong choice can lead to costly mistakes, safety hazards, and projects that drag on for months. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the DIY versus...

When concrete surfaces like driveways, pavements, walkways, or slabs start sinking, most property owners assume replacement is the only solution. But there’s a faster, cheaper alternative — mudjacking, also known as slabjacking or concrete lifting. Mudjacking is a construction method where a slurry mixture is pumped beneath a sunken concrete slab to raise it back to its original level. It restores...

Wall cladding has quickly become one of the most popular finishing trends in Kenya—appearing in modern estates, commercial buildings, hotels, and even rural homesteads. Beyond beauty, cladding plays a major role in protecting walls from the elements and improving the durability of a building. Here’s everything developers, homeowners, and property enthusiasts should know. What Is Wall...

Why Boundary Disputes Are Common—and How to Use Surveyors, Beacons, Maps, and Legal Tools Effectively Buying land in Kenya is one of the biggest investments many people will ever make. Yet, boundary disputes remain among the most common land-related conflicts, often leading to costly court cases, stalled developments, or even total loss of property. The good news?Most disputes are preventable if a...

Selling property is rarely instant. Some homes fly off the market within days, while others remain listed for months — even when they’re good properties. What makes the difference? Below is a breakdown of why some homes take longer to sell, plus practical strategies to speed up the sale. ✅ Why Properties Take Longer to Sell 1. Overpricing This is the number one reason homes linger on...

Not long ago, a family had an average of 17 minutes to escape a burning home.Today? Just 3 minutes. This isn’t a dramatic statistic meant to scare you—it’s the measured reality of how modern homes burn. What has changed isn’t fire itself, but the fuel. The Hidden Danger Inside Modern Homes Walk into a typical home built before the 1980s and you’ll find heavy timber furniture, cotton...

Round Mud-Walled, Grass-Thatched Huts — Genius or Backwardness? For decades, traditional African architecture — especially the iconic round mud huts with thatched roofs — has been unfairly dismissed as primitive or backward. Yet, when viewed through the lens of climate science, engineering efficiency, sustainability, and modern design trends, these structures reveal an astonishing...

When two of Nairobi’s most iconic 5-star hotels—the InterContinental Nairobi (closed in 2020) and Hilton Nairobi (closed in 2022)—shut down operations, many expected a quick sale or new investors to jump in. Yet, years later, neither property has found a buyer.Why? Below is an in-depth look at the real reasons behind the prolonged stagnation. 1. Outdated Buildings Requiring Massive...

Modern construction is rapidly changing, and one of the most transformative shifts is the move from traditional on-site building to prefabrication and modular construction. In Kenya and globally, developers, homeowners, and contractors are increasingly adopting these methods to reduce cost, save time, and improve quality. This article explains what these technologies are, how they work, their benefits...

Shared office spaces with common reception, boardrooms, printers, kitchens, high-speed Wi-Fi, and flexible leasing are becoming the go-to solution for startups, freelancers, SMEs, and NGOs across Kenya. They solve the biggest pain point: professional workspaces without the cost burden of setting up an entire office. 1️⃣ Why Shared Offices Are Increasingly Viable in Kenya ✔ Rising cost of...

Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) is reshaping the country’s housing landscape by offering modern, decent, and financially accessible homes to low- and middle-income citizens. Yet many potential homeowners are still unsure about how allocation works, who qualifies, and what it actually costs. This comprehensive MakaoBora.com guide breaks everything down clearly. 1. What Is the...

Kenya’s housing landscape is changing fast. As cities expand vertically and satellite towns boom horizontally, one question keeps appearing in every homebuyer’s mind: “Should I buy or live in an apartment, or should I build a stand-alone house?” The answer is not universal. Both options come with unique benefits depending on one’s budget, lifestyle, long-term plans, and investment...

In Kenya, land rent and land rates are both mandatory property-related payments — but they apply in very different situations. Confusing the two can lead to penalties, delays in title processing, or problems during land sales and transfers. Below is a breakdown that cuts through the jargon: 1. Land Rent (Payable to the National Government) ✔ Applies ONLY to leasehold land✔ Managed by:...

Tin houses—made with corrugated iron sheets (mabati) on both the roof and walls—are among the quickest and most affordable housing solutions in Kenya. When built correctly, they can be durable, comfortable, and weather-resistant. This guide explains everything you need to know about planning, materials, construction steps, safety, cost, and maintenance. 1. Why People Build Tin...

In an era where construction costs are rising, climate change is intensifying, and urban waste is piling up, the building industry is turning to a powerful but often overlooked solution: reusing building materials. From reclaimed timber to salvaged steel, recycled stone, roofing sheets, doors, windows, tiles, concrete blocks, and even entire structural elements — adaptive reuse is reshaping how...

The Unsung Hero of Fresh Indoor Air When we think about plumbing, most people imagine water pipes, taps, toilets, and drainage lines. But hidden silently within your walls or running up the outside of your building is one of the most important — yet most ignored — plumbing components: the breather pipe, also known as a vent pipe or soil vent pipe (SVP). It doesn’t carry water. It doesn’t look...

Modifying a natural stone wall — especially one built with quarry stone, machine-cut stone, or random rubble masonry — is major structural work. Stone walls depend heavily on mass, bonding, and mortar interlock for stability, so careless cutting can weaken the entire wall or cause collapse. Below is what every homeowner, mason, architect, or fundi must understand before attempting such...