Starehe Constituency: Area Facts, Housing and Land Prices, and Infrastructure Development.

Starehe Constituency stands as a vital economic and residential hub in Nairobi, hosting the city’s Central Business District while facing unique challenges related to housing, infrastructure, and population density. This report examines the constituency’s key characteristics, current housing and land prices, and recent infrastructure developments as of early 2025, providing a comprehensive overview of this important area within Kenya’s capital city.

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Geographical and Demographic Profile.

Starehe Constituency is one of seventeen constituencies in Nairobi County, holding position number 289 out of Kenya’s 290 elective constituencies. Established for the 1966 elections, it covers approximately 20 km² (7.7 sq mi) and is strategically positioned at the heart of Nairobi.

The constituency borders multiple neighboring areas:

North: Westlands and Mathare constituencies.
East: Kamukunji and Makadara constituencies.
South: Embakasi South, Kibra, and Langata constituencies.
West: Dagoretti North constituency.

Demographically, according to the 2019 Census, Starehe Sub-county had a population of 210,423 residents distributed among 69,389 households. This creates a remarkably dense urban environment with approximately 10,215 persons per square kilometer. The constituency had 166,397 registered voters as of the 2017 IEBC Voters register.

Administratively, Starehe comprises six electoral wards:

Nairobi Central
Ngara
Pangani
Landimawe
South B
Ziwani/Kariokor

As of the 2022 elections, the constituency is represented by Hon. Amos Mwago of the Jubilee Party, succeeding Charles Njagua Kanyi who served following the 2017 elections.

Social Challenges.

A significant portion of Starehe’s population resides in informal settlements, commonly referred to as slums. The Landimawe ward in South B Division, for example, is largely dominated by these settlements, creating challenges related to poverty and security issues.

Housing Market and Affordable Housing Initiatives: Houses for sale in Starehe Nairobi: Starehe Affordable Housing Project.

The Starehe Point affordable housing project represents a major development initiative in the constituency. This KSh 20 billion project is being implemented by GulfCap Real Estate in partnership with the Kenyan government as part of President William Ruto’s ambitious Boma Yangu initiative.

The development consists of 6,000 apartments offering various unit types to address Kenya’s housing deficit and provide affordable housing solutions for low and middle-income earners. Current pricing (as of 2025) for the different unit types is as follows:

One-bedroom apartments (36 square meters)
- Starting price: KSh 1.98-2.29 million
- Expected rental yield: 15% (above average market rate)
Two-bedroom apartments (63 square meters)
- Starting price: KSh 3.46-3.69 million
- Expected rental yield: 12% (above average market rate)
Three-bedroom apartments (75 square meters)
- Starting price: KSh 4.49 million
- Expected rental yield: 15% (above average market rate)

Amenities and Features.

The Starehe Point development offers numerous amenities designed to enhance residents’ quality of life:

Gated community with 24-hour security
Recreational facilities including swimming pool, basketball court, and jogging track
Roof terrace and clubhouse
Outdoor gym and children’s play area
Professional property management services

The project’s strategic location provides convenient access to key facilities, including BBS Mall and Starehe Boys Center (within 5 minutes) and Thika Super Highway (within 15 minutes).

Land Prices and Property Rates: Current Land Prices.

Land in Starehe Constituency commands premium prices due to its central location and proximity to Nairobi’s CBD. As of March 2025, land prices in Nairobi’s central areas range as follows:

Prime spots near the CBD: KSh 80-100 million per acre
General Nairobi and surrounding areas: Starting from KSh 30 million per acre

These elevated prices reflect high demand coupled with diminishing supply in Nairobi’s property market, making Starehe one of the most expensive real estate locations in Kenya.

Plots For Sale In Nairobi, Starehe: Land Rates for 2025.

Effective January 1, 2025, Nairobi City County implemented new land rates applicable to all properties within the county, including Starehe Constituency. The rates vary according to plot size:

Plots up to 0.1 hectares: KSh 2,560 annually
Plots between 0.1-0.2 hectares: KSh 3,200 annually
Plots between 0.2-0.4 hectares: KSh 4,000 annually
Plots larger than 0.4 hectares: KSh 4,800 annually

For all land classifications—residential, commercial, and agricultural—the county has established a rate of 0.115% of the property’s value per year, applicable to both private and public landholdings.

Recent Infrastructure Development: Market Projects.

A significant infrastructure initiative currently underway in Starehe Constituency is the construction of two market facilities worth KSh 750 million. This project, which broke ground in January 2025, includes:

Two market sites at Maji Mazuri and South B areas, each measuring one acre
Capacity to host 2,000 traders on regular days and an additional 1,000 during designated market days.
Expected completion within one year (by early 2026)

The project aligns with the Kenya Kwanza Manifesto and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), aiming to provide secure trading spaces for thousands of small-scale entrepreneurs.

Economic and Employment Impact.

Beyond improving commercial infrastructure, the market project is creating substantial economic opportunities:

Employment for approximately 800 workers during the construction phase.
Technical assistance and financial support for local Jua Kali artisans who are providing products for the project.
Enhanced financial positioning for small-scale contractors, enabling them to compete for larger contracts in the future.

Conclusion

Starehe Constituency remains a critical component of Nairobi’s urban landscape, blending commercial significance with residential diversity. While the constituency faces challenges related to informal settlements and high population density, ongoing initiatives like the affordable housing projects and market infrastructure developments demonstrate efforts to improve living conditions and economic opportunities for residents.

The constituency’s central location continues to drive high land values, while government-supported housing projects aim to make homeownership more accessible to middle and low-income earners. As these developments progress through 2025 and beyond, Starehe is positioned to enhance its status as both an economic powerhouse and an increasingly livable urban area within Kenya’s capital.

1.What are the key amenities offered in the Nairobi Central affordable housing project?

2.How does the Pangani housing project compare to other affordable housing initiatives in Nairobi?

3.What is the expected completion date for the Ziwani/ Kariokor affordable housing project?

4.How many units are included in the Landimawe affordable housing project?

5.What are the current land prices in Nairobi South?