The rise and rise of Kisumu Real Estate market

Kisumu was previously known as Port Florence and was established by the British in 1901. By then, it was only a railway stop between Mombasa and Uganda. However, over a millennium later, the city remains a key transport hub for the East African Region. In addition, Kisumu has the recognition as key and the first-millennium city from the United Nations. 

The city has a rich cultural history where different tribes called the town different names. The Luo people referred to it as "Kisumo" meaning "a place to look for food", the Abaluhya referenced it as "Abhasuma" meaning "a place to borrow food". Further, the Abagusii called it "egesumu" to mean "a structure for keeping or rearing chicken".  Additionally, the Nandi referred to it as "Kisumett" which means a place where food was found during times of scarcity and exchange.

Kisumu City enjoys the advantage of robust tourism, strategic location, infrastructure, positive demographics, positive economic growth and a rich culture. These are among the few factors causing massive growth of the real estate sector in the town.

To begin with, the popularity of Kisumu real estate market is currently being driven by the county’s tourism sector. These include wildlife, camping, business meetings, rich Luo culture, exciting fish dishes, beach visits, and boat rides. This is leading to a rise in demand for holiday homes, hotels, Airbnbs etc. This is also causing a rise in the general hospitality industry in Kisumu. 

The strategic location is also playing a key role in this city which is a key transport hub in Nyanza and Western Region. The town enjoys a robust and diverse transport system via road, railway, and air through Kisumu International Airport. This makes it convenient to travel to and from Kisumu from any part of the country. 

Growing infrastructure is also another key factor leading to the growth of the real estate sector. This is leading to the rise in demand for properties for sale in Kisumu.  Over the past decade, the city has been enjoying key infrastructural projects such as revival of the railway line, Kisumu port, construction of Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, upgrading of the Airport to international standards, construction of a number of interchanges etc. Collectively, 117 key infrastructural projects have been completed in Kisumu out of the planned 309. Gradually, this is causing a facelift in this key city located next to a lake.

Positive economic growth is another key factor leading to the growth of Kisumu real estate market. The city envisions a sustainable, innovative and dynamic city through a recent physical development plan. Further, the World Bank-funded Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP) is helping improve the city’s infrastructure and key amenities. 

Additionally, Kisumu is set aside as a Special Economic Zone by the World Bank. This basically means the region will become a hub for manufacturing, industries and accessories processing. This will further spur developments in the entire region.

Realtors such as Username Investments are now setting base in Kisumu city. This is after intensive research on the current real estate trends in Kisumu County. The company is offering eighth-acre and quarter-acre plots for sale in Kisumu. The land has key amenities such as water, electricity and graded access road thus ideal for immediate residential development.

The project dubbed The Domain, Kisumu Dala is located in Kibos along Mamboleo - Miwani tarmac road. The property shares great proximity to Kibos Sugar Company. The project nears the Great Lakes University of Kisumu (GLUK) main campus, Makini Schools among others. 

Reuben Kimani, the CEO of Username Investments, says “Kisumu City is hub for East Africa developments and anyone looking for the best place to invest in real estate should invest in Kisumu. The CEO foresees Kisumu becoming the go-to city in terms of all investments due to the city’s strategic location as a business hub for the East African Community.