Starehe Constituency: A Comprehensive Profile of Nairobi's Central Hub.

Starehe Constituency stands as one of Nairobi’s most significant electoral areas, hosting the city’s bustling Central Business District (CBD) and representing a crucial economic and historical center within Kenya’s capital. This report examines the key aspects of this vibrant constituency, including its geographical features, demographic profile, real estate market trends, and recent infrastructure developments that are shaping its future landscape.

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Geographic and Administrative Profile.

Starehe, meaning “place of rest” in Swahili, is one of Nairobi’s oldest neighborhoods, situated approximately 2.6 kilometers east of the central business district. As a constituency, it occupies a strategic position in Nairobi County, bordered by Mathare Constituency to the north, Kibra, Langata, and Dagoretti South to the south, Makadara and Kamukunji to the east, and Westlands to the west. The constituency comprises six wards and is administratively spread across two sub-counties: Starehe and Makadara.

The Starehe neighborhood itself has deep historical roots, dating back to the 1920s. The residential area was built between 1942 and 1946, based on designs by Kenya Government architect Peter Dangerfield, and was the second of three estates in Nairobi to employ the garden city concept after Ziwani, then followed by Kaloleni. Its boundaries include General Waruingi Road to the south, with neighboring areas such as Kariokor, Pumwani, and Ziwani.

Demographics and Population.

According to the 2019 Census, the Starehe Sub-county has a population of 210,423 residents living in 69,389 households, spread across a land area of 20.6 square kilometers. This translates to a remarkably high population density of approximately 10,215 persons per square kilometer. The constituency boasts the highest number of registered voters in Nairobi County, with 166,397 registered voters as of the 2017 IEBC register.

A significant demographic challenge in the constituency is the large population residing in informal settlements or slums, particularly in South B Division’s Landmawe ward, contributing to socioeconomic challenges including poverty and insecurity.

Real Estate Market: Housing and Land Prices.

Affordable Housing Initiatives.

Starehe has become a focal point for affordable housing development in Nairobi, with several significant projects underway or recently completed:

Property in Nairobi Central for Rent & Sale -Starehe Point Housing Project.

The Starehe Point affordable housing project, developed by GulfCap Real Estate in collaboration with the Kenyan government, represents a major investment of 20 billion shillings. Located off General Waruinge Road opposite Pumwani and near BBS Mall, this development comprises 6,000 apartments designed to address Kenya’s housing deficit while providing employment opportunities for local communities.

The project offers various housing options at different price points:

One-bedroom apartments (36 square meters): Starting from KSh 2.29 million, with 15% rental yield.
Two-bedroom apartments (63 square meters): Starting from KSh 3.69 million, with 12% rental yield.
Three-bedroom apartments (75 square meters): Starting from KSh 4.49 million, with 15% rental yield.

These units feature amenities including a gated community, jogging track, 24-hour security, swimming pool, basketball court, roof terrace, outdoor gym, clubhouse, children’s play area, and property management service.

Gitongu Starehe Housing Project.

This development on Nairobi’s eastern fringe in Joska involved the construction of 141 affordable homes in partnership with NACHU (National Cooperative Housing Union). The units were built incrementally, consisting initially of two rooms (20m²) on 137m² plots, priced at KES 569,257 with monthly payments of KES 11,302 over 60 months. Residents, previously from various informal settlements around Nairobi, were provided with micro-mortgages to be repaid within 5 years.

Houses, Flats & Land for Sale in Nairobi Central-Land Prices.

Land values in and around Starehe reflect the premium placed on central Nairobi locations:

For prime locations near Nairobi’s CBD, land prices typically range from KSh 80 million to KSh 100 million per acre. In surrounding areas like Ridgeways near Starehe Girls High School, prices remain substantial:

1-acre plots in Garden Estate: KSh 100 million.
0.5-acre plots in Ridgeways: KSh 45 million.
Garden Estate (1/2 acre near Windsor): KSh 33 million.

For comparison, land in Nairobi’s outer areas begins at approximately KSh 30 million per acre, while rural Kenya land prices range from KSh 500,000 to KSh 2 million per acre.

Infrastructure Development and Urban Renewal.

Housing Redevelopment.

Due to Nairobi’s significant housing deficit, Starehe has been earmarked for comprehensive urban renewal. This includes plans for the demolition of old low-density houses to be replaced with high-density developments, creating over 5,000 affordable housing units. These efforts align with President William Ruto’s ambitious Boma Yangu initiative, which aims to eliminate the country’s housing deficit by constructing 200,000 housing units annually.

Market Infrastructure.

A significant development within Starehe is the construction of new market facilities. The government has initiated a Sh750 million market project with sites at Maji Mazuri and South B areas. These markets will support approximately 2,000 traders on normal days, with capacity for up to 1,500 traders each during designated market days. Each market will be constructed on one-acre plots with completion expected within one year from April 2025.

The markets will host vendors selling fresh farm produce, fish, beef, clothing, and general household commodities, providing essential economic infrastructure while generating additional revenue for Nairobi City County through enhanced Own Source Revenue streams.

Land Rate Reforms.

Affecting property owners throughout Nairobi including Starehe, new land rates are scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2025. The revised structure bases rates on land size and value:

Plots under 0.1 hectares: Sh2,560 annually.
Plots between 0.1 and 0.2 hectares: Sh3,200 annually.
Plots between 0.2 and 0.4 hectares: Sh4,000 annually.
Plots exceeding 0.4 hectares: Sh4,800 annually.

Additionally, residential, commercial, and agricultural properties will be taxed at 0.115% of their land value annually.

Development Plans and Future Outlook.

Starehe’s future development is guided by several county-level planning documents that emphasize sustainable urban growth:

The Nairobi City County Integrated Development Plan (2023-2027) focuses on transforming Nairobi into a competitive city with dignified quality of life for its residents. Key priorities include economic growth, poverty reduction, income generation, employment creation, improved service delivery, and business development.

The County Annual Development Plans for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 aim to address Starehe’s and the broader city’s challenges, including rapid population growth, environmental degradation, land scarcity, housing deficits, traffic congestion, poverty, inequality, and aging infrastructure.

Conclusion

Starehe Constituency represents both Nairobi’s historical roots and its ambitious future. As one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city that now hosts the vital Central Business District, it embodies the evolution of Kenya’s capital. The area faces significant challenges, including high population density, informal settlements, and infrastructure needs. However, substantial investments in affordable housing, market facilities, and urban planning demonstrate a commitment to transforming Starehe into a more livable, economically vibrant community.

For investors, homebuyers, and urban planners alike, Starehe offers a compelling case study in urban renewal within a historically significant district. The ongoing and planned developments suggest that this constituency will continue to play a central role in shaping Nairobi’s identity as an emerging global city while addressing the practical needs of its diverse population.

1.What are the current house prices in Pangani?

2.How much does land cost per square meter in Landimawe?

3.What recent infrastructure developments have been made in Nairobi South?

4.Are there any upcoming housing projects in Nairobi?

5.How has the Ziwani/Kariokor affordable housing project impacted local residents?