Why new real estate investors are trooping to Nairobi outskirts
By Faith Macharia, July 14, 2025In recent years, Nairobi’s real estate landscape has seen a significant shift, with developers increasingly choosing to invest in the city’s outskirts rather than the traditional urban core.
Metropolitan towns such as Thika, Kitengela, Joska, Juja and Ngong have become hotspots for gated communities, mixed-use developments, and affordable housing projects.
This trend is largely driven by lower land costs, availability of space for expansive developments, and improved infrastructure that connects these satellite towns to the capital.
According to Jane Baiyu, chief executive officer at Amara Realty, many people buying land or property want something outside the busy city, serene and of low cost.
“Most real estate developers prefer conducting their businesses outside Nairobi, I think the reason being Nairobi has become very congested. So, if you’re looking for fresh air, you’re looking for a home that is close to Nairobi but away from Nairobi,” Jane said.
At the same time, a growing number of Kenyans living in the diaspora are turning to professional real estate companies rather than relying on family members to manage their investments back home.
Stories of misused funds and unfulfilled promises have eroded trust in informal arrangements. Other clients in diaspora have reported losing large amounts of money to family and friends who scammed them when they were abroad.
“Many of my clients are people living in diaspora, they want someone they can trust with their money and give value to it. We do reach them through our social media platforms,” she stated, adding that they also target clients who are looking for a different kind of lifestyle.
Show houses
“People looking for an experience, a home that will give them not just a house but a home that will give them that exceptional kind of living. A serene environment, tranquillity and elegance,” she added.
This shift is reshaping how real estate is bought and sold in Kenya, with developers not only targeting the local market but also actively courting the diaspora with secure, transparent, and often virtual investment experiences.
During the event, Amara Realty officially unveiled the show houses for the highly anticipated Oint Country Homes in Thika, just ten minutes from Blue Post Hotel.
The project, which began as a personal dream in 2019, has now taken physical form with the completion of Phase One, a gated estate of 32 units.
“We wanted to offer not just investment, but value a place where families can return and feel proud to call home,” Jane said, “If you leave the CBD for Kilimani during rush hour and another person heads to Oint Country Homes, the one coming here will arrive first, freshen up, enjoy a cup of tea, and sit on the terrace to watch the sunset.