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The Rise of Satellite Towns in Nairobi
Nairobi's real estate Industry growing really fast
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This growth is evenly distributed in both residential and commercial premises owing to the demand for accommodation and office space.
The welcome mushrooming of new buildings in different towns have raised the status of these towns to metropolitan and reduced their dependency on major cities. These towns are known as satellite towns, a name that can be defined in urban planning as a smaller metropolitan area located near larger metropolitan but have, with time, developed and become independent socially and economically. Most of these satellite towns are dormitory towns, meaning that people working in big cities live in these towns, hence they have to travel back and forth daily.
Fast-Growing Satellite Towns Around Nairobi
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Nairobi, the largest metropolitan, has a good number of satellite towns around it that have grown over time. These towns include;
Ngong
The growth of Ngong town in the 90s can be attributed to its low land prices, the serene and cool environment as well as mushrooming of commercial property. The PCEA church launched the first commercial building and set the pace for economic development in the town. This was closely followed by other malls, arcades, banks, hotels and even a bus terminus.
View property for sale or rent in Ngong.
Kikuyu
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Kikuyu town was largely an agricultural stronghold due to its geology and rich soil texture. After the construction of the Southern Bypass, however, the town has now grown economically and socially to be a satellite town. Since then, there have been many developments in Kikuyu including universities and campuses, recreational and hospitality facilities and a bus terminus. The town has also developed into an industrial destination with factories in the medical and metallic sectors.
View property for sale or rent in Kikuyu.
Kitengela
Located in Kajiado county, Kitengela is mainly a transit town and a tourist destination. These two factors might have contributed to its growth as a dormitory town and ultimately a satellite town. The interest in Kitengela saw an increase in property in the area with land shooting from KES 100,000 to KES 1 Million in a span of five years. This did not, however, slow down the mushrooming of buildings for both commercial and residential use. Commercial buildings include malls, banks, boutiques while residential houses are in the form of apartments and townhouses for both sale and rent.
View property for sale or rent in Kitengela.
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Ruiru
Ruiru became a dormitory town in the early 2000s and as of 2009, the population influx was weighing on the resources in the town. The influx also had some positive impact since it forced development of economic and social amenities to support the working class individuals and families working in the capital. The onset of the 35 billion Tatu City project saw an overhaul of Ruiru since the project is one of the biggest and most advanced satellite cities in Nairobi’s environs. This project seeks to set up residential and commercial buildings; as well as become an educational and ICT hub.
View property for sale or rent in Ruiru.
Mavoko
Mavoko town, also known as Athi River, is arguably one of the oldest satellite towns near Nairobi. The town has also been a relatively industrialized one with over six cement factories and a railway station. With time it has become a residential and business hub with state-of-the-art estates and industrial parks.
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View property for sale or rent in Mavoko.
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