Ruiru experiencing a property price run

The land market in Ruiru has been stirred thanks to the construction of Thika Super Highway and the bypasses. The Eastern bypass connecting Ruiru to Embakasi in the South passes through vast sections of land prime for residential and commercial development. This bypass has sent land prices along it in a spin. The nearer the bypass, the higher the prices. The Northern bypass connecting Ruiru to Kahawa West and Thome to the West has had a similar effect on prices. Thika Road too has pushed up prices of land in the immediate hinterland of Ruiru particularly between Kenyatta University and Juja to near unaffordable levels. Again, the nearer the property lies to the Super Highway, the dearer the asking price. The Tatu City development to the North West of Ruiru is also expected to stir another price run of the surrounding properties. In sum, Ruiru is experiencing a high noon in property prices. This is a boon which property owners and the Municipal Council of Ruiru should exploit wisely for economic development and planning. But there is a problem that may have the exact opposite unless well and expeditiously addressed.

Conmen taking advantage of rush for residential land/property

Population pressure has raised the rush for land within and around the City to worrying levels. Consequently, insincere land agents, sometimes outright cheats, have seized the moment to unjustly enrich themselves from people’s hard earned savings. Cases of people who have lost money to false brief case agents who are here today and gone tomorrow have been on the rise. Their telephone contact lines are changed with every “successful” deal, making it difficult for the conned to ever follow up. But it is cases of people who blatantly purport to own land that is clearly not theirs and proceed to subdivide and sell it to unsuspecting buyers, which are most worrying.

While we must mind the implementation of land reforms long term, there is need to occasionally highlight some of the “potholes” those who routinely walk our property terrain must mind too. We all attach high premium to properties we set to buy or develop. No one therefore wishes to find themselves soaked with avoidable costs or loses. Some of the pertinent challenges relating to purchase and development of property in our country today are humbling. But we should navigate around them.

They say “good boundaries make good neighbours”. Where boundaries get lost, disputes could occur. Boundary disputes take time and money to resolve. And they adversely impact on all affected. At times, there is bloodshed and death. They are best avoided.

Those interested in purchasing land, or have land, in each of the below listed areas need to beware the indicated recent developments.
1.    Suspension of Development on Properties around the proposed Konza ICT Park: The Ministry of Lands, through a public notice dated 22nd June, 2012, has suspended all development of land, including subdivisions, on all that area of land measuring about 75, 836 acres covering parts of Makueni, Machakos, and Kajiado Counties and bordered by Konza Railway Station, Waami Hill, Katumani, Ngiini Market, Kimutwa/Bondoni River, Konza Ranch Settlement Office, Makuyuni River, Konza Settlement Scheme, Kiima Kiu, Aimi ma Kilungu and Maangush River for the next six months from the date of the notice.