Mathare Hospital and Makadara Constituency: Area Assessment Report.

The following assessment provides clarification on Mathare Hospital’s location and offers a comprehensive analysis of Makadara Constituency’s demographics, real estate market, and infrastructure development as of April 2025. This report corrects the geographical misconception regarding Mathare Mental Hospital while providing detailed insights into the socioeconomic landscape of Makadara Constituency.

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Geographical Clarification and Mathare Hospital.

Contrary to potential misunderstandings suggested in the query, Mathare Mental Hospital (sometimes spelled “Mathari”) is not located within Makadara Constituency but is situated in Kasarani. Established in 1910 during the colonial era as the Nairobi Lunatic Asylum, it currently serves as Kenya’s premier psychiatric facility and the national psychiatric teaching and referral hospital. The hospital has a bed capacity of 600, with one-third reserved for female patients. It is strategically positioned west of Nairobi along the Nairobi-Thika Road.

The nearest transportation access point to Mathare Mental Hospital is the Muthaiga bus station, approximately a 3-minute walk from the facility. Other nearby stations include Albadr (12-minute walk), St. Teresa (14-minute walk), and Mlango (15-minute walk). The hospital provides comprehensive services including PMTCT, HIV counseling and testing, ARV therapy, TB diagnosis, and treatment.

While Mathare Hospital is not within Makadara, it’s worth noting that Makadara borders Mathare to the north, creating a geographical proximity between these two distinct administrative areas.

Makadara Constituency: Profile and Demographics.

Makadara constituency is one of seventeen constituencies in Nairobi County. Its nomenclature has evolved over time, known as Donholm Constituency during the 1963 and 1969 elections, then as Bahati Constituency, and finally as Makadara since 1997. The constituency occupies approximately 20 square kilometers in the central east and southern parts of Nairobi City County.

Demographically, Makadara has a population of 303,881 residents (105,435 male and 198,446 female), with a remarkable population density of 15,425 persons per square kilometer. This high density reflects the constituency’s urban character and significant housing demands. The area is represented in parliament by Honorable Aladwa and is subdivided into four wards: Harambee, Maringo/Hamza, Makongeni, and Viwandani.

The constituency’s development vision focuses on “inclusive socio-economic development,” with objectives targeting improved education outcomes, socioeconomic empowerment, enhanced security, environmental management, and administrative efficiency. These aspirations reflect the area’s urban challenges and development opportunities.

Housing Market Assessment: Prices and Trends.

6+ Bedroom Unfurnished Houses for Sale in Mathare Hospital.

The residential real estate market in Makadara shows interesting pricing dynamics with significant fluctuations over recent years. For properties on sale, average house prices stood at KSh 10,000,000 as of November 2023, maintaining stability from the previous month. However, this represents a decrease from March 2023, when the average price was KSh 13,000,000, and a more substantial drop from December 2022’s average of KSh 20,000,000. This downward trajectory suggests a cooling market or possibly increased supply over this period.

Current property listings in Makadara (as of April 2025) include 17 houses and apartments for sale across various price ranges. The majority of available properties are maisonettes (10 listings), predominantly featuring 3 bedrooms (9 listings) and 2 bathrooms (7 listings). A representative example is a 3-bedroom townhouse in Buruburu Estate priced at KSh 14,500,000.

The rental market presents a dramatically different trend. Average monthly rent for apartments has increased substantially from KSh 20,000 in mid-2022 to KSh 40,000 in 2023, and most recently to KSh 140,000 in the first quarter of 2025. This represents a 250% increase in just two years, indicating strong rental demand possibly driven by infrastructure improvements and limited supply of new rental units.

Vacant Land / Plot for Sale in Mathare-Land Market Analysis: Availability and Pricing.

Land in Makadara commands premium prices, reflecting its strategic urban location and development potential. Current land listings show considerable variation in size and pricing:

A sizable 5.88-acre parcel in Ofafa, Makadara is listed at KSh 420,000,000, positioning it as a major development opportunity. More modest offerings include a half-acre plot along Jogoo Road near the Uchumi area priced at KSh 95,000,000. For potential developers interested in smaller parcels, there’s a 45 by 100 feet corner plot near Oryx Petrol station, described as “ideal for highrise flat development,” listed at KSh 20,000,000.

At the more accessible end of the market, a 0.25-acre (40 by 100 feet) plot is available for KSh 2,000,000. The significant price variations reflect differences in location, road access, and development potential within the constituency.

Both commercial and mixed-use land designations are available in Makadara, catering to diverse investment interests. These land options align with the constituency’s dual residential and commercial character, as noted in its socio-economic profile which highlights the presence of numerous small-scale enterprises alongside residential areas.

Infrastructure and Development Projects.

Makadara Constituency is currently experiencing significant infrastructure development through multiple government initiatives. The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) is implementing the “Improvement of Makongeni Estate Roads Lot 1” project as of August 2024, aimed at enhancing connectivity within the constituency.

Housing development features prominently in current projects. The State Department for Housing and Urban Development has tendered for the “Proposed Construction of the Jogoo Road-Phase 2 AHP (Affordable Housing Project) in Makadara Constituency with associated social amenities and infrastructure”. Similarly, the “Proposed Construction of The Makongeni AHP Project (Phase 1B)” is underway. These projects align with the national affordable housing agenda.

In a high-profile visit on March 10, 2025, President William Ruto officially opened the Zawadi Comprehensive School and the Dishi na County Central Kitchen in Makadara. During this visit, he also inspected the 4,566-unit Shauri Moyo B Affordable Housing Project within the constituency. This presidential attention underscores the strategic importance of development projects in Makadara.

The broader Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Project also impacts Makadara, integrating affordable housing, modern markets, and enhanced infrastructure. This initiative aims to transform Nairobi into a more livable and economically vibrant city, with benefits expected to flow to Makadara given its urban location and proximity to the river system.

Conclusion

This assessment reveals Makadara Constituency as a densely populated urban area experiencing significant development dynamics. While clarifying that Mathare Mental Hospital is actually located in neighboring Kasarani, the report highlights Makadara’s distinctive characteristics as an evolving urban landscape.

The housing market shows contrasting trends between sales and rentals, with property sale prices declining somewhat over recent years while rental rates have surged dramatically. Land prices remain high but variable, reflecting the area’s urban premium and development potential. The constituency benefits from substantial infrastructure investments, particularly in road improvements and affordable housing projects that promise to reshape its physical and socioeconomic landscape.

As these development initiatives mature, Makadara’s urban fabric will likely continue transforming, potentially leading to further changes in property values and living conditions. Monitoring these developments will be essential for residents, investors, and policymakers engaged with this dynamic constituency.

1.What are the current house prices in Harambee?

2.How have land prices in Hamza changed over the past five years?

3.What recent infrastructure developments have taken place in Bahati?

4.Are there any upcoming housing projects in Makongeni?

5.How does the cost of living in Jogoo road compare to other areas in Nairobi?