Why Are Rents Falling in Nairobi’s Most Expensive Estates? The Numbers Will Surprise You
Nairobi’s housing market is experiencing notable shifts, with new data revealing that rent prices in several of the city’s prime suburbs and satellite towns declined slightly between April and June 2025.
According to the latest Hass Property Price Indices released by real estate firm Hass Consult, some of Nairobi’s most sought-after estates—Westlands, Muthaiga, Kilimani, and Runda—recorded declines in rental prices during the second quarter of the year.
The report shows:
- Muthaiga: -2.7%
- Westlands: -1.7%
- Kilimani: -1.2%
- Runda: -0.1%
Overall, the rental market contracted by 0.2% in Q2 2025, a reversal from the 0.3% increase recorded in Q1.
Hass Consult’s Creative Director and Co-CEO, Sakina Hassanali, attributed the softening rental market to an increasingly difficult economic environment. “Landlords are therefore increasingly forced to forego an increase in rent prices to protect occupancy in a price-sensitive market,” she said.
Despite the general decline in some areas, other estates saw rental growth. Notable gainers included:
- Lang’ata: +3.4%
- Gigiri: +3.0%
- Kileleshwa: +1.1%
- Karen: +0.6%
- Kitisuru: +0.4%
Several satellite towns and estates outside the city’s core, including Lavington, Loresho, Nyari, Ridgeways, Athi River, Kitengela, Juja, Ngong, and Ongata Rongai, also experienced modest increases in rental prices. These hikes have been linked to a combination of low inflation and signs of economic recovery.
Interestingly, while only four estates saw rental price drops in Q2, the previous quarter saw over nine estates register declines. These included Nyari Estate, Loresho, Ridgeways, Kiserian, Athi River, and Tigoni—where rents fell by between 1.2% and 2.5%.
Meanwhile, areas like Ruiru, Ngong, Limuru, Juja, Ongata Rongai, and Kitengela have emerged as consistent performers, registering rent increases across both quarters this year.
The mixed performance across Nairobi’s estates reflects the dynamic interplay of economic conditions, supply trends, and evolving tenant preferences in Kenya’s rental market.
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Why Are Rents Falling in Nairobi’s Most Expensive Estates? The Numbers Will Surprise You