This archive report was first published on 2 August 2019.
On the outskirts of Nairobi, Kitengela has undergone a remarkable transformation, with the town's real estate landscape changing dramatically in recent years.
At the forefront of this transformation are two entrepreneurs, Joseph Kung'u and Larry Nakudana Sinkeet, who have invested in hotels in the area.
Joseph's Enkasiti Plains Resort, built on 36 acres of land, is one of the few properties changing the face of real estate in Kitengela. The resort, which opened in 2015, features a picnic site that accommodates over 2,000 guests and a hotel garden, attracting bird watchers and lovers of nyama choma and kienyeji chicken.
Joseph, a 73-year-old retired banker, began thinking of the design of the resort as soon as he bought the land in 1997. He foresaw the need for a resort away from the capital city and dared to actualise his dream, despite initial skepticism from many.
Another property investor in Kitengela is Larry, a 30-year-old who left his career as a pilot to set up a hotel that sits on 40 acres of land, overlooking Lukenya Hills. The high-roof bungalow-like hotel accommodates a restaurant, a bar, and a lounge, with kitchens adjacent to the bungalow and seven cubicles for visitors seeking privacy.
Both Joseph and Larry charge between Sh2,500 to Sh5,000 for accommodation, costs that are not as high as lodges in the city. The two investors also offer additional services, including the use of their well-manicured gardens, with a man-made river, for a fee of Sh50,000.
Despite the challenges they face, including high electricity bills, Joseph and Larry are reaping the benefits of their investments in the hospitality industry.
