Firm plans 387-acre housing estate in Limuru

A real estate firm is planning to turn a 387-acre piece of land near Limuru into a massive mixed-use estate, adding to other such developments planned for or under development in Kiambu County.

The plan by Red Coral Properties Limited will see 3,304 housing units put up on 172 acres of land and development of commercial and retail space done on 39 acres. Also in the scheme are 17 light industrial developments, mostly warehouses and logistics facilities. read more: www.businessdailyafrica.com

Prime property market boom

Inside a gated community in a tranquil Kenyan suburb, a group of builders are putting the final touches to the exterior of a lavish, red-tiled villa nestled in the middle of a landscape garden.

Within the spacious property, no luxury is spared: Hardwood floors, Venetian finishes, designer furniture and five en-suite bathrooms ensure that all the modern conveniences are in place for the future tenants.
Welcome to Miotoni Ridge, a 14-mansion development in one of the Kenyan capital's most prestigious locations.

Houses here are designed for the highest-end of the luxury market. Asking prices are running at more than $1 million but that has not deterred any potential buyers: 60% of these properties are already sold out.

In fact, a study earlier this year by estate agents Knight Frank and Citi Private Wealth found that Nairobi was the best performing prime residential market in the world. Values in the city grew up by 25% in 2011.
Read On: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/28/business/kenya-luxury-housing-boom/index.html

Nairobi best performer in property index

Green House at Adam's Arcade, Nairobi. Image source: architecturekenya.com

According to Knight Frank’s Prime Global Cities Index for the first quarter of 2012, the value of prime property in the world’s key cities falling by 0.4 per cent but Nairobi performed quite well. “Nairobi (up 24 per cent) was the strongest performer in the last 12 months,” read the report.

The survey says this was the index’s first quarterly fall since the depths of the global recession.

According to the report, the first three months of 2012 brought with it little new momentum, but all was not lost. “Despite the overall index’s sluggish performance, four prime markets achieved double-digit growth over a 12-month period; Nairobi, Jakarta, Miami and London,” said the survey. 
read on: www.standardmedia.co.ke

Ocean Seven: Luxury Living at the Beach

Kenya is widely seen by many in the region as a stable and desirable investment hotspot with no Capital Gains Tax. It is a regional hub with extensive transport and communication links

As a southern hemisphere destination, Kenya provides a perfect winter sun destination for Europe and also a cooler summer destination for the close by Gulf markets.

While the West has suffered with the economic downturn, Kenya has continued to grow. Property values in most western countries have not shown growth since 2008, while property values in Kenya have grown substantially over the same period.
Those who have invested in the real estate sector in this emerging economy are already starting to see a solid growth in underlying asset values.

The cost of living in Kenya is low and more people looking for a holiday home or retirement options find that they can achieve a good standard of living.

Overseas property investors are increasingly developing or buying into developments of properties.


Ocean Seven is a one-of-a-kind beachfront project on Kenya’s spectacular North Coast. Within 32 kms of Mombasa, Ocean Seven is a secure and elegant residence for those who want a lifestyle that matches their vision – a truly bold concept for modern day life. Every condo has been carefully designed to maximise the panoramic Indian Ocean views and cooling on-shore breezes. The blend of services and facilities has been crafted to exceed expectations.


The concept of going up in height came from a desire to create something really special in the beautiful beachfront grounds of Ocean Seven.  With yoga decks, secluded pagodas, fun entertainment or bar-be-que areas the space has been cleverly designed to give both social vibrancy and intimate privacy.   There is a 2 km walking or jogging trail blended into the park-scape, as well as a beachfront boardwalk to get the most out of the unique and expansive open space.


There are five different types of property you can buy at Ocean Seven.  All are condos.  There are 58 condos in total in the first O1 Tower.  All bedrooms are ensuite and the open plan kitchen, dining room, living room and balcony all look out across the garden area towards the sea.


See more at oceansevenkenya.com


Sun N Sand Trust
Over the years Sun  N Sand Beach Resort has tried to incorporate philanthropy as an integral part of the business in order to improve the quality of life of the community (approx 20,000 people), that live in and around the area.

The  Sun  N Sand  Trust was formed by Sun N Sand Beach Resort on 21st March 2006, where the Trust’s mandate is to facilitate and oversee all the ‘Responsible Tourism’ projects


Ocean Seven will continue supporting the Trust. The Trust’s tradition of corporate social responsibility has been central to the area over the past 40 years. Continuing the extensive support to schools and providing water and healthcare to the community is a core value.

Supporting the community is an important key driver for the family-owned business who take real and justifiable pride from the employment, education, healthcare and support they give back to the local community.
Read more about the trust: sunnsand.info/our-trust

Mandharini is Best Development in Africa 2011

Hello Properties's Mandharini in Kilifi has been awarded the Best Development in Africa Award 2011 at the Bloomberg international property awards. This is the first time any project in East Africa has received this prestigious award.


Kenyan development best in the continent 
That the Kenyan real estate sector has come of age is not in doubt, with world-class development and international investors taking interest.

Mandharini, a Hello Properties development, has put Kenya on the world map by bagging the Best Residential Property award at the International Property Awards gala held at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. The development won in the Multiple Units category in the African region.

With its recognition, Mandharini emphasised a point that investors like Delta Corp made when they got into the Kenyan market: That the market is ready to accommodate world-class developments.

Read more at source: The Standard

The Master Plan

Mandharini is the lowest density oceanfront development in East Africa, with just 125 villas set on 150 acres of privately owned estate, with 360 degree views across coast and country. Every villa is placed to achieve the best view, complete privacy, optimal natural light, and cooling breezes.

The villa plots account for one third of the estate’s land, making for a destination with ample public space to walk, cycle or play golf. Source: Mandharini.com

The Homes

Mandahrini is derived from a Swahili word ‘Mandhari’ meaning ‘a place of beautiful views’ Mandharini presents 120 homes with unmatched views of the sheltered Kilifi Lagoon.

The project has already been shortlisted in the Best Development Category of the International Residential Property Awards as an outstanding project in Africa.

The 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes, each with a private swimming pool and set in ample acreage, come with the option of a full, luxury furnishings package, economically priced through specialist sourcing. All bedrooms are ensuite.

The homes have been designed by international resort architects WATG of London to ensure maximum elegance and character. With, hand-carved Swahili front doors, brosely terracotta roof tiles and fully fitted kitchens and bathrooms the Mandharini homes are finished to an exceptional level.

All the homes have hidden guttering for rain water harvesting, are served with desalinated water and solar power this all in keeping with the resort’s eco-conservancy strategy and spectacular natural setting. Source: Mandharini.com

Mandharini Village

Mandharini village is set at the heart of the resort, elevated at 40 meters to provide 180 (degree) views of the sheltered Kilifi Lagoon. With a large horizon pool, restaurants, bars, gym, spa shops and function room Mandharini Village offers unrivalled facilities to the home owners. Source: Mandharini.com

Kenyan prof feted in Germany over worm study

When a leading African scientist received a brief e-mail inviting her to Germany to present her research breakthrough to select top global researchers, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, she dismissed it as a fake.

But the invitation to Prof Waceke Wanjohi from Dr Nathalie Martin-Hübner, managing director of Germany’s Falling Walls Foundation, could not have been more genuine.

Dr Martin-Hübner would explain that the Falling Walls conference is an annual global gathering of forward thinking individuals from 75 countries. And that each year, 20 of the world’s leading scientists are invited to Berlin to present their current breakthrough research which could dramatically transform life worldwide.

The conference seeks to: connect science with industry, politics, media and culture; identify trends, opportunities and solutions for global challenges; make research understandable to a broad audience; and, inspire people to break down the walls the world faces. Read more at source: The East African

Scramble for a piece of Kisumu city creates new property firms

Kisumu city is experiencing a property boom that has seen land prices triple in value in some areas. Investors in commercial and residential property have been trooping to the lakeside city in droves in a move that has seen an unprecedented rise in the value of land and housing units in and around the town.

Some of the biggest beneficiaries of the boom have been property agents and developers who have had to deal with rising numbers of clients looking for property to rent, buy, or develop. Over the last three years, the number of registered property agents has risen from less than 10 to over 25.
read more at source: Business Daily

Kenyans hoping to make history in New York

NEW YORK - Ever since they discovered that the streets were paved with gold and branched out from cross-country’s hills and dales, Kenya’s distance runners have piled up enough marathon medals and records to start their own macadam museum. One thing their men haven’t done yet, though, is win all six major races in the same season.

That chance comes this morning at the 42d New York City Marathon, where unrelated speed racers Geoffrey and Emmanuel Mutai will be looking not only to finish what they started last spring but also to bring down Tesfaye Jifar’s course record (2 hours, 7 minutes, 43 seconds) that has stood since 2001.

That’s a lifetime in an event in which the world record has fallen three times in four years, most recently in September in Berlin, where Patrick Makau ran 2:03:38. read more at source: http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2011/11/06/kenyans-hoping-make-history-new-york/FMUVUuKyw90z3mhNIwtUUM/story.html

Mutai win NYC Marathon


Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai won the men's New York City marathon Sunday, setting a new course record with a finish time of two hours, five minutes and six seconds. It was the first time the 30-year-old has won the NYC marathon. The last Kenyan runner to win the marathon was Martin Lel in 2007. read on at source: http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/Kenyan-Geoffrey-Mutai-Ethiopian-Firehiwot-Dado-win-2011-nyc-marathon-110611?ocid=ansfox11

Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai sets NY Marathon record
Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai smashed the New York Marathon men's record on Sunday while Ethiopian Firehiwot Dado surprised herself with a late charge to capture the women's title in her New York debut.  In ideal conditions, Mutai surged from a pack to the lead with seven miles remaining and won in two hours, five minutes and six seconds, shattering the old course record of 2:07:43 set by Ethiopia's Tesfaye Jifar in 2001.

"I tried at the last minute to push it a little more," Mutai said. "We all worked together and then it was time to push. I was trying to run my own race." read on at source: http://www.nation.co.ke/sports/athletics/Kenyas+Geoffrey+Mutai+sets+NY+Marathon+record/-/1100/1268358/-/pckhfs/-/index.html

Diaspora celebrate Kenya NY Marathon win
On a near perfect, windless day that seemed made for African marathon runners, Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya flew over five New York bridges, breaking away from the so called elite team in the final six miles to shatter a decade-old course record by more than two and a half minutes.
And, in the process, he set off celebrations among Kenyans living in the US that went on late into the night. "It's a great day for Kenya. Our runners have made us proud and it’s in order for Kenyans wherever they are to celebrate this win," said Dr Josephine Ojiambo, Kenyan Ambassador to the UN after receiving the runners at the end of the race.
With song and dance, and tusker lager as one Kenyan living in the Bronx told The Standard on phone, Sunday afternoon and many hours later in the US belonged to Kenyans as one of the biggest story on both local and national television and radio was the spectacular win by the Kenyan trio of Geoffrey Mutai, Emmanuel Mutai and Mary Keitany in the New York Marathon held Sunday.
read more at source: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000046307&cid=4&ttl=Diaspora%20celebrate%20Kenya%20NY%20Marathon%20win

Indian tycoon tightens grip on Kenya’s real estate market

Indian tycoon Mukesh Ambani is deepening his foray into Kenya’s real estate market with a series of office and residential property developments that have already earned him an estimated Sh2.5 billion in profits, barely three years after his first investment in the country. Mr Ambani, through Delta Corporation East Africa – a local subsidiary of his Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries – is currently constructing multi-billion shilling office towers in Nairobi’s Upper Hill and Westlands areas.

Delta Corporation East Africa is also developing a multi-million shilling residential estate in Athi River. The 53-year old Indian business tycoon is believed to have pocketed Sh2.5 billion from two recent property deals, one of which was last month’s sale of Delta Centre to the World Bank.

Wangari Maathai nominated Forbes Africa Person Of The Year

ABN Publishing presents the Forbes Africa, Person of the Year Awards 2011 for, “the individual who, for better or worse, has had the most influence on events of the year gone by”. The Forbes Africa editorial team built an initial long-list that was narrowed down to the top 5. The “people’s choice” makes up 25% of the weighted average criteria formulated and does not necessarily determine the outcome of this award on its own. The nominees are: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, 73, the 24th and current President of Liberia; Pedro Veron Pires, 77, former president of Cape Verde; Aliko Dangote, 57, Nigerian businessman; Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, 50, banker, Fulani nobleman and Islamic scholar; Professor Wangari Maathai, 1940-2011, was a Kenyan environmental and political activist. vote here