Hospital, Mathare Constituency: Area Facts, Housing Prices, and Infrastructure Development.

Mathare Constituency, with its distinctive Hospital Ward, represents one of Nairobi’s most densely populated urban areas. This report explores the demographic composition, economic landscape, housing market trends, and recent infrastructure developments that are reshaping this historically underserved area.

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Constituency Overview and Demographics.

Mathare Constituency is one of 17 constituencies in Nairobi County, created prior to the 2013 general election when Kasarani Constituency was divided. Covering approximately 3.00 km², the constituency borders Kiambu Constituency to the North, Kasarani Constituency to the East, Eastleigh portion of Kamkunji Constituency to the South, and Pangani portion of Starehe Constituency to the West and South West. The constituency primarily comprises informal settlement households, particularly concentrated in Mabatini and Hospital wards, with the Nairobi River traversing through and causing environmental challenges during rainy seasons.

Hospital Ward specifically occupies roughly 0.80 km² with a population of approximately 20,463 residents. This densely populated ward derives its name from hosting the Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya’s only public psychiatric institution. The ward is further distinguished by housing the Mathare Police Depot and several international NGOs.

Mathari Hospital: A Landmark Institution.

Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital stands as the only public psychiatric hospital in Kenya, with a reported capacity for 1,500 patients. Founded in 1910 by British colonial authorities, the facility began as a smallpox isolation center before being redesigned into the Nairobi Lunatic Asylum. Throughout the colonial period, the hospital maintained segregated facilities with African patients, who constituted 95% of the population, kept in the worst conditions.

Today, this specialized national referral, training, and research institution admits patients with severe psychiatric disorders who cannot afford private services and are considered too disturbed for management in other facilities or community settings. Its catchment area primarily encompasses Nairobi and its surrounding environs.

An important development affecting the hospital’s future is the Kenyan government’s plan to relocate it from its current location near Mathare slums to Ngong in Kajiado County. This relocation, projected to cost over Sh5 billion, will establish a modern neuropsychiatric facility on a 200-acre (81.69 hectares) plot. The current 34.3-hectare parcel in Mathare will be exchanged as part of this arrangement.

Property & Houses for Rent & Sale in Mathare-Housing and Land Market.

Property Values and Rental Income.

Mathare North, a section of the constituency, shows active real estate development despite its reputation as an informal settlement. A block of flats comprising 51 single rooms in Area 4 James illustrates the income-generating potential of residential properties in the area. With monthly rents averaging 4,500 Kenyan Shillings per unit (with some variations between 3,000-5,000 KSh), the property generates approximately 200,000 KSh monthly and was listed for sale at 15 million KSh.

Higher-end properties in the adjacent Allsops area command significantly higher prices, with a one-bedroom apartment listed at 29 million KSh, reportedly generating 200,000 KSh in monthly income. This price disparity highlights the stark economic contrasts within short geographical distances in the area.

Residential Land For Sale in Mathare-Land Pricing Context.

While specific land prices for Hospital Ward are not explicitly stated in the available data, the broader Nairobi context shows that land values vary dramatically based on location, infrastructure access, and development potential. As of early 2025, land prices in Nairobi’s urban areas start at approximately KSh 30 million per acre, with prime locations commanding upwards of KSh 80-100 million.

The property market in Nairobi’s suburbs and satellite towns, which would include Mathare, showed a quarterly price increase of 0.8% in Q4 2024, contributing to an annual growth of 5.2% for 2024—double the growth rate observed in 2023. This growth was primarily driven by detached housing units, while apartments and semi-detached properties experienced slight declines in the fourth quarter despite posting annual gains.

Recent Infrastructure Development.

Healthcare Facilities.

May 2024 marked a significant milestone for healthcare infrastructure in Mathare with the launch of construction for the first public hospital in Mlango Kubwa ward. Built on a reclaimed dump site, this facility is designed to serve approximately 7,000 residents with comprehensive services including theater and maternity facilities. The project’s funding came through the Ward Development Program (WDP), which increased ward development allocations from Sh1.4 billion to Sh2 billion, unlocking Sh23 million per ward compared to the previous Sh17 million.

Transportation Infrastructure.

One of the most transformative developments for Hospital Ward has been the construction of its first paved road network since Kenya’s independence. Historically, the ward suffered from isolation due to inadequate transportation infrastructure despite hosting important institutions. Through collaborative efforts between the Kenya Rural Roads Authority and Nairobi County Government, residents now benefit from the first motorized bridge connecting the ward to Juja Road, alongside tarmacked and carbon-paved roads. This infrastructure breakthrough has reduced transportation costs and improved security by eliminating previously dangerous routes.

Housing Development Initiatives.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has initiated significant social housing projects in Mathare, as evidenced by recent tender documents for “Proposed Construction Of Social Housing and Associated Infrastructure” in both Mathare 1 and Mathare 2 Constituencies. These projects align with broader government efforts to upgrade informal settlements and improve housing quality across Nairobi’s underserved areas.

Environmental Restoration.

The Mathare River, which traverses the constituency and has historically been highly polluted, has become the focus of multiple rehabilitation initiatives. In November 2024, the Future Design Basecamp brought together diverse stakeholders to reimagine and restore this critical river ecosystem. The initiative resulted in a commitment to establish a Water Resources Users Association for sustainable management of the catchment area.

Complementing this effort, the Mathare Slums Community Association (MaSCA) leads an ongoing project engaging local youth in river cleanup, landscaping, and community infrastructure development. A notable achievement includes the 2023 donation of an acre of land surrounding the river for the creation of Mathare Community Park, featuring waste removal, tree-planting, and construction of recreational facilities.

Conclusion.

Hospital Ward in Mathare Constituency represents a community in transition. Despite historical challenges including inadequate infrastructure, informal settlements, and environmental degradation, recent years have witnessed significant development initiatives across healthcare, transportation, housing, and environmental restoration. Property values show steady growth reflecting broader Nairobi trends, though stark economic disparities remain evident in the housing market.

The planned relocation of Mathari Hospital represents perhaps the most consequential upcoming change for the ward, potentially transforming both healthcare delivery and land use patterns. As infrastructure developments continue and environmental restoration projects advance, Hospital Ward appears positioned for continued transformation, though addressing the underlying socioeconomic challenges will require sustained investment and community engagement.

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