When you turn your campus side hustle earnings into a multi-billion investment

He took up online jobs, leveraging the then fast-rising digital platforms to create income, to complement the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans he was receiving.

These entailed writing and data entry jobs. 

Gradually, he made small amounts of income, saving what he could, and started looking into acquiring his own piece of land. 

“I realised I needed to be creative to survive. But also I was keen on venturing into the real estate sector as a way of creating wealth for myself,”Muriithi says in an interview.

He then realised he could actually build a real estate firm from his first piece of land he bought along Kangundo Road, using the money he had saved. He sold this land and made a profit.

This helped build his portfolio, which saw him start his own real estate firm.

In 2016, Muriithi founded Fanaka Real Estate, a venture selling real estate to Kenyans, in different parts of the Nairobi metropolitan area.

Recently, Fanaka Real Estate celebrated its 10th year of existence.

“The journey has been full of experiences and growth. Fanaka is now one of the best real estate firms in Kenya,” a proud Muriithi reflects.

So successful has been Fanaka Real Estate within the 10 years of its existence that it was recently named the Land Investment Company of the Year 2026, during the Nairobi Realtors Summit Season 3. 

“This award is an affirmation of what we’ve been able to build over the years. We are a trusted real estate venture that has helped many Kenyans acquire land and own property,” Muriithi said of the award. 

For many Kenyans, land is the first step to a family home. For others, it is a safe long-term investment, or something to pass on to their children. Fanaka is built around these different goals.

 The venture has projects including in Syokimau, Katani, Kitengela, Kinanie in Athi River, Utawala, Kamakis in Ruiru, Juja Farm, Ngong, Kikuyu, Kamulu, Joska, Malaa and Koma.

The award comes at a time when Nairobi is growing fast, and more people are looking at areas beyond the city centre. As new homes spread into nearby counties, buyers are paying more attention to plots along major roads and in upcoming residential areas.

“Still, a promising location is not enough. Before you buy, check the ownership documents, the access roads, the water and power available, the total cost, and what you plan to use the land for,” Muriithi says.

Fanaka Real Estate now looks into the future. In the next decade, the firm plans to offer more land opportunities, make the customer experience better, and keep up with what buyers around Nairobi need.

“Our next chapter is about building on what we have learned since 2016 and helping more people reach those goals,” Muriithi promises.