Neighbourhoods

While men don’t give a hoot where they live in the city, women do. Why else would a woman move out of a spacious two-bedroom apartment in Umoja to a tiny servant’s quarter in Valley Arcade, where she can’t even keep a pet? While a man might agonise over reasons for moving houses, a woman could be chasing a well-heeled man in such a hood. Indeed, a city woman’s decision regarding where to live...

Located five km from the Thika Super Highway and 23 minutes (without traffic) from the Nairobi CBD, Lucky Summer estate is strategically situated between Kasarani and Kayole estates to suit residents who desire for fresh air. The estate enjoys close proximity to the Thika Road Mall (TRM) and Safari Park Hotel, giving the residents ease of access to a high profile shopping centre and classic hangout spots....

As the political campaigns for the upcoming General Elections heat up, such violent instances might become synonymous with the campaigning activities. In Nairobi especially, a few areas have historically been mapped out as being highly prone to politically instigated violence. We have singled out these seven Nairobian estates and slums, where political hooliganism is more likely to be experienced –...

Kilimani has for a long time been an area for the wealthy and counts State House as a neighbour. However, this image is fast losing its allure. Over the last 2 years, however, it has been turning from the middle class capital to the murder capital where businessmen are willing to murder for capital. The neighbourhood has been associated with dirty money, parties and deaths which have shocked the...

The media has been awash with news of landlords welding tenants' doors and taking off roofs in a bid to kick out rent defaulters. A landlord also went viral after auctioning off one of his tenants' goods even though he still had the tenant's two-month rent deposit. What most tenants don't know is that they have legal rights that landlords shouldn't breach. Today, we look at what you can do when your...

A concerned resident of Tassia Estate in Embakasi has raised an alarm over a gang that is similar to the Mungiki sect that has been harassing traders in the area. The gang demands for protection fee from small traders around the area and if you don’t comply, they threaten to kill you. This guy reveals how he was harassed by the dreaded gang that operates in broad-daylight, after constructing some shops...

Relationships are determined in large part by physical and functional distance, leading to a common phenomenon known as the 'Proximity or Propinquity Effect'. You are more likely to fall in love with somebody you are physically close to. Even in this era of online dating studies show, potential partners are likely to choose those that are within distance. Neighbourhoods, where dating happens...

Many of our best performing institutions have deep roots dating back to the colonial era, a fact often undisclosed to the public. Here's the historical origins of some of these renowned schools, their colonial-era names before they were eventually renamed to the familiar titles known today.   Nairobi School - Prince of Wales School Nairobi School's name has been changed...

A woman from Kibra has been charged with offensive conduct after she threatened to stab her landlady.   Ms. Caroline Nyang’au, 25, appeared at the Kibera law courts where she was accused of hurling insults at Ms. Bilha Momanyi and threatening to stab her when she went to collect house rent within Raila slums in Lang’ata Sub County on October 10.   Police said the accused did the same with...

It is a land that has produced greatest leaders in Kenya’s history was the main settlement for British American Tobacco workers and was also a resting place for European’s horses during the colonial days. Sensational rumba artist Daudi Kabaka also wrote a song about the slum Shauri Moyo.   Shauri Moyo is one of Nairobi’s oldest slums. Its existence dates back to the late 1930s. It is perhaps...

The most dangerous place for women in the entire county can be revealed today — Kawangware. It tops the list of Nairobi neighbourhoods where women are routinely subjected to rape, sex assaults, beatings and other forms of abuse. And it is followed in the local list of shame by Kibera, Kenya’s biggest slum. Then come Rongai, Kayole and Githurai as the places where women most fear to...

Karen is a suburb of Nairobi in Kenya, lying south-west of Nairobi central business district. The suburb of Karen borders the Ngong Forest and is home to the Ngong Racecourse. It is also known for its large European population. Karen and Langata jointly form a somewhat isolated area of mid to high-income residents. Karen was previously within Ngong County. After Nairobi received city...

Scammers have learned how to exploit the housing demand in Kenya and target Nairobi which is home to a population of about 4.4 million. The shortage of proper and affordable housing has created an enormous number of desperate people clamouring for the few affordable houses available - hence becoming easy targets for unscrupulous agents.   Too Good to be True One of the most popular house hunting...

Fedha Estate is one of the fast growing hoods along Outering Road viewed by residents of neighbouring estates as one housing the better off members of the society. Other hoods around here that also rise above, in status, the neighbouring "high rise slum" Pipeline and Mukuru are Tassia and Avenue Park estates, all closely hurdled together almost imitating human beings of a certain social class drawn...

Taxi drivers in Nairobi refuse to venture into some estates, especially after 8pm, citing insecurity.  John Muli, who has been a taxi driver for close to a decade, says all he wants is an assurance he is safe at work. Attacks that have over the years culminated in the deaths of several taxi drivers have often driven him to consider abandoning the business. “Despite the job being challenging I have...

NAIROBI county government will soon embark on renovation of old houses in seven city estates after it was granted approval for the project by the National Treasury. Under the plan, the county government will redevelop the earmarked old estates within the city in a short-term joint venture with developers. “Nairobi City county government in line with its responsibility for urban management as vested to...

Nairobi is a beautiful city, although some naysayers have wrongfully nicknamed it 'Nairobbery'. Majority of visitors and residents alike can confirm that this is not true. Many have called this city home for decades without a single incidence of crime. Even the estates that have a reputation of crime are largely safe where people live happily with their families. However within those estates there are...

Dandora is an eastern suburb in Nairobi, Kenya. It is part of the Embakasi. Surrounding neighbourhoods estates include Kariobangi, Baba Dogo, Gitare Marigo and Korogocho. Dandora Estate was established in 1977, with partial financing by the World Bank in order to offer a higher standard of housing. The location is in part well known for being the site of the main solid waste dump for...

Today, the internet is awash with young people in employment who are looking for financial advice. One of the most common questions is, how can I save enough to build that dream house or retirement home? Going by some media reports, it is easy to conclude that many people have pieces of land, but they have been unsuccessful in developing the land because they live from paycheck to...

Land Mawe is an old city estates serving residents of all kinds, from students, working class to low-income earners. The estate is located on the edge of Nairobi’s CBD next to Nairobi Railway Station, a transport hub for many living within Nairobi and the outskirts, and the Technical University of Kenya (TUK).   The estate has several, numbered block buildings, which eases identification for...