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Plots, Houses and Land for Sale in Malindi Town.
Malindi Town is a major urban centre on Kenya’s eastern coast and the headquarters of Malindi Constituency in Kilifi County. With its rich history, growing real estate market and ongoing infrastructure development Malindi is evolving as both a tourist destination and residential area. This report looks into the key aspects of this coastal town, looking at its demographic profile, housing and land market and recent infrastructure developments that are shaping its future.
Geographic and Historical Background.
Malindi is located about 120 km north east of Mombasa, on Malindi Bay at the mouth of the Sabaki River along the Indian Ocean coast. As the largest urban centre in Kilifi County, Malindi has a population of 119,859 according to the 2019 census. The town has an area of 20.8km² with a population density of 5,988 persons per km².
Historically Malindi is one of the ancient Swahili cities, dating back to 1st century AD when it was established as an Arabic settlement and trading post. The town flourished as part of the emerging Swahili civilization between the 5th and 10th centuries. Its coastal position made it a major trading hub, attracting merchants from all over. Notable historical events include the visit of Chinese explorer Zheng He in 1414 and Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in 1498. This history is preserved in heritage sites such as the Vasco da Gama Pillar, the Portuguese Chapel, the House of Columns and the Malindi Museum Heritage Complex.
Constituency Profile and Demographics.
Malindi Constituency covers a larger area beyond the town boundaries and includes Malindi, Gede, Watamu, Ganda, Goshi, Jilore, Lango Baya and Chakama Divisions of Malindi District13. As a sub county Malindi has a population of 333,226 in the 2019 census with 163,351 males, 169,866 females and 9 intersex.
The population structure is predominantly young with a median age of 16.7 years (16.2 for males and 17.2 for females). The age distribution shows that 132,533 are under 15 years, 189,824 are between 15-64 years and 10,854 are 65 years and above. This youthful population presents both challenges and opportunities for economic development and social services.
Culturally Malindi has a mix of ethnic groups including Mijikenda, Swahili and Arab communities that add to the area’s cultural diversity. Majority of Malindi’s population is Muslim reflecting the historical Arab influence in the region.
Economic Activities.
Tourism is the main industry in Malindi and drives the local economy. The town’s beautiful coastal setting, pristine beaches and rich marine life make it a popular destination for both local and international tourists. This tourism sector has influenced the real estate market creating demand for holiday homes and rental properties.
Beyond tourism, small scale farming contributes to the local economy with cashew nuts being the main cash crop. The proximity to the Indian Ocean also supports fishing activities providing livelihoods for coastal communities. The diverse economy has helped the town to withstand fluctuations in the tourism industry.
Malindi Kenya Property for Sale-Real Estate Market: House Prices.
The real estate market in Malindi has grown remarkably with property prices increasing by up to 18% annually according to market analysis. This upward trend is mainly attributed to the booming tourism industry which generates consistent demand for holiday homes and rental properties especially from foreign investors.As of March 2025 the average house price in Malindi Town is KSh 24,740,000 with maximum price of KSh 55,000,000 and minimum price of KSh 9,650,000. The market has shown some fluctuations over the past year with notable changes in average pricing:
- March 2025: KSh 24,740,000.
- February 2025: KSh 24,260,000.
- January 2025: KSh 21,930,000.
- December 2024: KSh 19,560,000.
- November 2024: KSh 40,240,000.
These price changes reflect the dynamic nature of Malindi real estate market influenced by tourism seasons, economic conditions and property availability. The current trend shows a stabilization of prices in early 2025 after significant fluctuations in late 2024.
Residential Land for Sale Malindi-Land Market Analysis.
Land prices in Malindi vary depending on location, size and proximity to amenities. The average price of land for sale in Malindi Town is KSh 650,000 with prices ranging from KSh 300,000 to KSh 9,000,000 based on location and features.
Several residential developments offer affordable land options:
- Barizi Gardens: 1/8 acre plots at KES 150,000 (cash) or KES 170,000 (installment).
- Sayari Gardens: 1/8 acre plots at KES 170,000 (cash) or KES 199,000 (installment).
- Zuena Gardens: 1/8 acre plots at KES 170,000 (cash) or KES 199,000 (installment).
For agricultural purposes Bustani Farm Gardens offers 1-acre plots at KSh 250,000 (inclusive of Title Deed) located 6.5 kilometers from Malindi-Lamu Road at Marereni. These plots have a flexible payment plan with KSh 21,000 deposit and the balance payable over 11 months.
The relatively lower land prices compared to other regions in Kenya make Malindi an attractive investment destination with 1 acre of land starting from approximately KSh 960,000. This affordability combined with the area’s growth potential presents significant opportunities for both residential and commercial development.
Recent Developments.
Malindi has seen significant developments in recent months to improve connectivity, boost tourism and enhance the quality of life for residents.
Road Projects.
As of April 26, 2025 the County Government of Kilifi has started construction of three roads with a total budget of approximately Sh140 million:
- Phase one of Kijiwe Tanga-Jacaranda road in Ganda Ward (Sh40 million).
- Phase two of Goshi-Madunguni road in Kakuyuni Ward (Sh50 million).
- Cabro roads at Marafa Trading centre in Marafa Ward.
These roads serve specific economic and social purposes. Kijiwe Tanga-Jacaranda road will facilitate tourist access to beach hotels from Malindi International Airport. Goshi-Madunguni road will benefit farmers in the agriculturally productive Madunguni area by improving access to markets. Cabro roads at Marafa Trading Centre will improve business operations and tourist access to Hell’s Kitchen.
Airport Expansion.
A major project underway is the expansion of Malindi International Airport. In March 2025 the National Land Commission (NLC) and Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) announced plans for this project which is backed by a government pledge of KSh 5 billion.
The airport expansion includes:
- Extending the runway to 2,500 metres.
- Constructing a 7.5-kilometre perimeter fence.
- Building a parking facility for up to 500 vehicles.
Once completed this will attract direct international flights, create employment opportunities and boost tourism related businesses. However progress has been hindered by land acquisition disputes between affected landowners and the government. Resolving these issues is key to the project’s completion and realization of its benefits.
Water Infrastructure.
Water infrastructure has also seen improvements. Sabaki well field supplies water to Malindi through a main pipeline and distribution network. Management of this system was taken over by a private operator (Gauff) and has seen significant performance improvements.One of the major achievements has been reduction of water losses from over 50% to 22% over a three year period. The supply rate has also improved with additional self-financed water kiosks. This has improved water accessibility and reliability for residents and businesses.
Urban Renewal.
Renewal of Malindi’s waterfront has been identified as a key project to make the town more attractive. This project will address environmental challenges, uncontrolled urbanization and privatization issues affecting the coastal area.
In 2016 UNHABITAT together with the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development of Kenya organized an international competition for the sustainable redevelopment of the city’s waterfront. This is a major step towards revitalizing Malindi’s urban spaces and reclaiming the town’s former glory when it was declared the cleanest town in Kenya in 2001.
Conclusion.
Malindi Town and Constituency is a dynamic region with great history and potential. The area’s rich cultural heritage and strategic coastal location continues to attract tourists and investors. The real estate market is growing especially in response to tourism demand and land prices are relatively affordable compared to other Kenyan urban centres.
Recent infrastructure developments especially in road construction and airport expansion show commitment to improve connectivity and accessibility. These will stimulate economic growth, create employment and make Malindi a premier coastal destination.
However challenges remain including land acquisition disputes affecting major projects and the need for sustainable urban planning to balance development with environmental conservation. Addressing these challenges will be key to Malindi to fully benefit from its potential while preserving its natural beauty and cultural heritage for future generations.
As Malindi evolves strategic investments in infrastructure, tourism and urban planning will be key to shaping its development and ensuring sustainable growth that benefits both residents and visitors to this historic coastal town.
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1. What are the current trends in house prices in Jilore?
2. How do land prices in Kakuyuni compare to other coastal areas in Kenya?
3.What recent infrastructure developments have been undertaken in Ganda?
4.How has tourism impacted property prices in Shella?
5. What are the most popular types of properties for sale in Kaloleni?