Driving through Kimbo in Ruiru, Kiambu County, it is hard to believe that just a few decades ago this now-thriving area was more green than grey. What was once a quiet, semi-rural stretch has transformed into a bustling urban landscape.
Towering high-rise apartments now overshadow the older, single-storey standalone shops and scattered bungalows that once formed the backbone of the market centre.
An imposing mall, situated along the main road, has taken centre stage—replacing the spotlight that once shone on small, stand-alone stores.
Bright red and white ‘To Let’ signs sway hopefully in the breeze, while further down Matangi Road, modern apartment blocks display sleek banners advertising spacious one- and two-bedroom units with CCTV, round-the-clock security, and ample parking.
On a good day with no traffic, Nairobi’s city centre is just 30 to 40 minutes away; during peak hours, it might take closer to an hour. Yet more and more Nairobians—working in the CBD, Westlands, Upper Hill, and other commercial hubs—are choosing to live in Kimbo.
Unfolding transformation
Naftali Mwangi, a long-time resident, has watched this transformation unfold firsthand. “I’ve lived in Kimbo since 1991. Back then, it was still like a forest. Everything changed after 2005 when people began moving in and buying land,” he says.
For Mr Mwangi, the area’s growth is about more than just new buildings—it’s the small, steady changes that have redefined everyday life.
A reliable water supply has become one of the area’s biggest draws. Mr Mwangi recalls a time when residents relied on sporadic piped water.
“Back then, we depended on water from the utility company, and it was very unreliable. But since the construction of Ruiru Dam in 2015, that’s no longer a problem,” he explains.
Naftali Mwangi, a businessman and landlord, speaks during an interview at one of his apartments along Matangi Road, on April 29, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
It was, however, the road network that truly unlocked Kimbo’s potential.
“Once roads were built, the change was instant. Apartments came up, matatus began operating, and business followed.”
Better infrastructure opened doors for real estate investment, transport services, and small businesses. But infrastructure is a double-edged sword. When the roads deteriorated, the effects were felt almost immediately.
“When Matangi Road worsened, businesses near the end of the stretch lost customers. Bad roads keep people away,” Mr Mwangi says. Despite the occasional infrastructural setback, Kimbo’s key amenities—like water—remain consistent, offering a major advantage over some newer Nairobi estates that still grapple with shortages.
Land prices
Land prices tell the rest of the story.
“I bought my commercial plot near the highway in 2012 for Sh1.2 million. Today, it’s worth about Sh15 million,” Mr Mwangi says. “In most places, you can’t find a 40x60 plot for less than Sh7 million.”
The rising cost of land has inevitably pushed up rental prices. “Here, one-bedroom units range from Sh16,000 to Sh25,000. Bedsitters are more affordable and move faster than anything else,” he adds.
Home owners' pain
With rapid development come unexpected pressures. Homeowners who initially bought plots near the main road now find themselves surrounded by apartment blocks, leading to concerns over privacy.
Pool of activities at Kimbo Shopping Center along Thika Road on April 29, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
“Some families are relocating because their homes are now boxed in by rentals. It’s affecting their way of life,” Mr Mwangi explains.
Still, he’s not going anywhere. He continues to farm pigs on the three-quarter-acre plot he purchased in 2004 for Sh24,000. Today, the land is worth millions.
“A quarter of the land houses the pigs. That section I bought for Sh24,000 now goes for Sh10 million, while the adjoining half-acre is valued at around Sh20 million.”
Why investors are flocking in
Johnson Denge, Real Estate Services Advisory Manager at HF Group, says Kimbo’s boom is no accident—it’s the result of improved infrastructure, relative affordability, and speculative demand.
“Kimbo is part of Nairobi’s metropolitan satellite towns. The upgraded road network, especially the Eastern Bypass, has brought in more traffic and made the area more accessible,” he explains.
As land prices skyrocket in Nairobi’s core estates, investors are looking to nearby alternatives.
Fitness enthusiast and business owner, David Murunga Lawrence, during an interview at his GYM along Matangi Road on April 29, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
“The cost per square metre in the city is becoming unaffordable for many. Areas like Kimbo offer viable alternatives within the broader Nairobi metro,” Mr Denge notes.
But with this fast-paced growth comes a crucial challenge: proper planning. As Kimbo continues to expand, infrastructure and public services risk being overstretched and ultimately, being its undoing.
