This archive report was first published on 18 July 2020.
On a Saturday morning in July 2020, the world was still grappling with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. In Nairobi's Spring Valley, a developer had already taken a step towards creating a safer living space with the construction of smart homes.
These homes, according to Bonke Omwayi, the managing director of Step-Villas Real Estate Consultants, are similar to conventional homes but with added digital features that make them more convenient to live in. With smart homes, one can shut windows, doors, and gates remotely using a smart device, eliminating the need to physically interact with appliances and reducing the risk of germ transmission.
Smart homes work by embedding software in various devices such as windows, curtains, doors, CCTV, and air heating devices. This software is then connected to smartphones, laptops, or iPads, and the internet, providing a link between the access devices and home applications.
For Bonke, smart homes could not have come at a better time. 'One of the main advantages of a smart home concept is that it allows one to control home from a distance irrespective of the location,' he said. 'So, for instance, one does not require a physical guard.'
However, not everyone is optimistic about the adoption of smart homes in Kenya. Diana Gachuhi, a director of Signature Africa Property Consult, notes that most buildings in Kenya are not smart-ready, and using technology can be a challenge. 'In some buildings, the management cannot tell how many people have accessed the building in a day,' she said.
Despite the challenges, Bonke remains optimistic about the demand for smart homes in Kenya. 'The demand for Spring Valley units and Alinah Villas is slowly rising and soon such homes will be a commonplace, especially as staying at home makes people desire better spaces.'
