Nairobi's property market is moving in two directions at once.
š Prime home prices rose 6.2% in the first half of 2026 (Knight Frank). š Apartment prices in Westlands fell 7.9% in the year to March (HassConsult).
Same city, same year, opposite results.
Here's what's driving the split:
š¹ Standalone homes are scarce. Bungalows, villas, townhouses and maisonettes are in short supply, and buyers keep competing for them. Karen, Lavington and Ridgeways all posted strong gains in Q2.
š¹ Apartments are oversupplied. They now make up about 71% of Nairobi's housing market, up from 45% a decade ago. In 10 of 18 areas HassConsult tracks, apartment prices fell, including Westlands, Upper Hill, Lavington and Ruaka.
š¹ Buyer preferences haven't kept up with that supply. Most aspiring homeowners say they would rather own a bungalow or maisonette than a flat.
But this isn't bad news for everyone.
ā For buyers, it's the best time in years to negotiate on an apartment. ā For investors, rents are still rising while prices soften, which improves yields on well-chosen units. ā The apartments that hold their value have green space, security, strong management and a real sense of community. Generic blocks in crowded areas are the ones losing ground.
The market isn't weakening. It's rewarding quality and punishing sameness.
Thinking of buying or investing? Let's talk about where the real value is right now. š 0729 222 268
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