Kinoo is quiet, and green, with cool, fresh air. But I couldn’t help but notice this is a middle-class settlement.
And a place mainly for people with families.
Is Kinoo a good place to live?
Before diving into places where you’ll find affordable rental houses, let’s take a closer look at Kinoo.
How’s life in Kinoo?
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 there? This is what to expect when you relocate to Kinoo.
Where is Kinoo located in Nairobi?
Kinoo is located along Waiyaki Way past Westlands, Kangemi and Uthiru.
How far is Kinoo from Nairobi
The distance from the Kenya National Archives to Kinoo is 16.9 km.
Where do I board matatu to Kinoo?
The Kinoo matatu stage in Nairobi is located at the Super Metro stage near Kenya National Archives.
Fare from Nairobi CBD to Kinoo
Ksh. 30-50 during off-peak hours.
Ksh. 100 during the rush hour.
Let’s do the math. If you commute daily to town in the morning and get back in the evening, this is what your budget will look like.
200 x 5 days = 1,000
1,000 x 4 weeks = 4,000
In addition to rent, you’ll spend approximately Ksh. 4,000 in fares per month if you decide to live in Kinoo.
Other fares
Fare from Kinoo to Gitaru
Ksh. 30
Fare from Kinoo to Kikuyu
Ksh. 30
Fare from Kinoo to Wangige
Ksh. 50
Water availability
The people I talked to on the ground complained of water challenges.
If you stay on an expensive apartment you may not experience water problems because the owner has either sank a borehole or buys water from vendors to fill in the tanks.
Otherwise, those who stay in houses with no borehole or such an arrangement have to buy a 20-liter jerrican at Ksh. 20 or 30.
Food prices in Kinoo
7/10 people I talked to said that food prices in Kinoo are high.
The remaining 3 said they are usually average.
Is Kinoo safe?
In 2023, there was at least one case of insecurity.
So far in 2024, there have been 0 cases of insecurity in Kinoo reported in the media.
And what about unreported cases?
For the unreported cases, I talked to the residents.
8 of the 10 people I talked to said there are very many cases of phone theft by bodaboda gangs.
The town center is safe. There is a police post nearby and they make lots of patrols. Insecurity increases as you head to Muthiga and also Kanyariri.
Some businesses are forced to close shop as early as 8.30 pm.
Why residents love Kinoo
“Green with cool, fresh air.”
“Spacious houses.”
“Welcoming people.”
“Affordable food.”
“Not crowded.”
“Barbara ya Chief is now tarmacked.”
What residents don’t like about Kinoo
“Lack of a market complex.”
“Water challenges.”
“Borehole water is salty.”
“Insecurity on the upper side towards Muthiga.”
“Flooding of Barabara ya Chief near Leestar Supermarket.”
“No footbridges across Waiyaki Way.”
“Pockets of insecurity.”
“Slow businesses.”
“No sewer line.”
“For Government services, you’ll have to go to Kikuyu or Nairobi GPO.”
“Alcoholism.”
Business ideas
If you’re thinking of setting up a business in Kinoo, think of the following:
•Kibanda ya soko
•Hardware
•Duka (small shop)
•Mitumba clothes
•Mali mali (small diversified trader)
•Water refill
•Laudromart
I hope it has been helpful. Send this post’s link to a friend who is searching for a rental house in Kinoo.
