What does life is life in Kasarani look like?
The rent you’ll pay is one piece of the puzzle.
Daily fare, time spent commuting, food prices, water availability, and even security of the area are other factors you should consider.
So what is it like living here? This is what to expect when you relocate to Kasarani.
The postal code for Kasarani is 00608.
How far is Kasarani from Nairobi CBD?
The distance from Imenti House in Nairobi to Kasarani Equity is 12.4 km.
Where do I board matatu to Kasarani?
The Kasarani matatu stage in Nairobi is located along Tom Mboya Street near Imenti House.
You can also board in downtown Nairobi along Racecourse Road, opposite Nairobi City Council offices.
The bus fares in downtown are cheaper by Ksh. 10-20 compared to what you’ll pay at Imenti House.
But again, the walk to downtown is a significant distance.
Fare from Nairobi CBD to Kasarani
Ksh. 50 during off-peak hours
Ksh. 100 during the morning rush hour; Ksh. 80 in the evening from town.
Let’s do the math. If you commute daily to town in the morning and get back in the evening, this is how your budget will look like:
180 x 5 days = 900
900 x 4 weeks = 3,600
In addition to rent, you’ll spend approximately Ksh. 3,600 in fares per month if you decide to live in Kasarani.
Traffic jam pain points
The main traffic jam pain points when getting to town are the Muthaiga/Pangani area and Globe Roundabout.
In the evening, there is usually a traffic snarl-up from Allsops (GSU HQs) to Garden City Mall.
Other fares at the matatu stage near Kasarani police station
Fare from Kasarani to Mwiki
Ksh. 20-30
Fare from Kasarani to Njiru
Ksh. 50-60
Fare from Kasarani to Junction
Ksh. 40-80
Fare from Kasarani to Kayole
Ksh. 70-100
Water availability
It seems Kasarani has no water problem.
9 out of the 10 people I talked to said they had water throughout.
Yes, some of them said they get supply from Nairobi Water 3 days a week, but then the other days they use water from storage tanks within the building.
Only those in flats with small storage tanks suffer the rest of the days. But then again, they have personal storage tanks to push them through.
Market food prices in Kasarani
7 people out of the 10 I talked to said market food prices in Kasarani are average.
The remaining 3 said they’re high, and they prefer to get their supplies from the nearby Githurai market.
Is Kasarani safe?
2023 was not a good year for Kasarani, with at least 4 cases of insecurity reported in the media. See them here, here, here, and here.
So far in 2024, there have been none.
And what about unreported cases?
For the unreported cases, I talked to the residents.
Well, apart from those ugly incidents, 7/10 of the people I talked to said the upper Kasarani is safe.
The other 3 talked of bodaboda gangs who snatch mobile phones from passers-by.
While I was collecting views, I noticed police officers on patrol almost every 30 minutes, especially in the evening.
Why residents love Kasarani
I asked the residents what they love about Kasarani and here’s what they had to say:
“It’s secure.”
“It’s lively. Good entertainment joints.”
“Wateja wanafika bei.” (Customers have good purchasing power.)
What residents don’t like about Kasarani
“Some areas have frequent power outages.”
“Expensive rents, both for residential houses and business shops.”
Business ideas
If you’re thinking of setting up a business in Kasarani, think about any of the following:
•Hotel or fast-food joint.
•Grocery store.
•Pub or liquor store.
•Boutique or thrift shop
•Gas cylinder depot.
Houses in Mwirigo are cheaper. One thing, though, that you need to know about staying in Mwirigo is the distance to the main road, the Kasarani-Mwiki Road.
It took me 10 minutes to walk from Mwirigo, through Kasamat, to the matatu stage at Seasons.
If you don’t want to walk, you can take a bodaboda. They charge Ksh. 50, although some will charge Ksh. 70. Be prepared for this extra expense in your budget.
Alternatively, you can walk to the Stima stage on the other side, although the distance is almost the same.
Well, that’s all I got for you today on this guide to rental houses in upper Kasarani. I hope it has been helpful. Send this post’s link to a friend who is looking for a house in Kasarani.
Check out the guide for Maternity.
