“No, there is no bank here. Only agents. Equity, Co-operative, and Unaitas banks are in Kasarani.”
I saw a comment from a Facebook user saying, “Kama umeshindwa na maisha ya Mwiki,wee tu rudi ushago.” (If life in Mwiki is hard for you, then just go back to the countryside.)
And I thought “Wow! Then life in Mwiki must be really cheap.”
But is it?
I went to find out, and I have the answers.
I went to Hunters, Sunton, then to the end of town at Mwiki Railway Station, and this is what I found out.
One thing I noticed about Mwiki is that there has been a deliberate effort to tarmac roads. Only 3 main roads have not been tarmacked or at least cabro-paved.
What Mwiki lacks is a market complex. The main market consists of vendors lined along ACK Road.
Here are the other details. If you’re looking for a single room, double room, bedsitter, 1 (one), 2 (two), or 3 (three) bedroom house in Mwiki, or you want to put up a business here, this is for you.
How far is Mwiki from Nairobi CBD?
The distance from Imenti House in Nairobi to Mwiki via Thika Road and Mwiki Road is 16.6 km
Where do I board matatu to Mwiki?
The Mwiki matatu stage in Nairobi is located along Tom Mboya Street near Imenti House.
You can also board downtown Nairobi along Racecourse Road, opposite Nairobi City Council offices.
The bus fares downtown are cheaper by Ksh. 10-20 compared to what you’ll pay at the Imenti House stage.
But again, the walk to downtown is a significant distance.
Fare from Nairobi CBD to Mwiki
Ksh. 40-60 during off-peak hours
Ksh. 100 during rush hour.
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:
(100×2) x 5 days = 1,000
1000 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 Mwiki.
Traffic jam pain points
The main traffic jam pain points when getting to town are Muthaiga/ Pangani area and Globe Roundabout.
You will also experience slow-moving traffic from Allsops to Garden City Mall in the evening. And then from Hunters to Mwiki.
The traffic police along Mwiki Road usually do a good job of decongesting the jams.
Other Fares
Fare from Mwiki to Githurai
Ksh. 50
Fare from Mwiki to Chokaa
Ksh. 60
Fare from Mwiki to Chokaa
Ksh. 40
Fare from Mwiki to Bypass
Ksh. 50
Fare from Mwiki to Benedicta
Ksh. 70
Fare from Mwiki to Utawala
Ksh. 80
Fare from Mwiki to MC
Ksh. 100
Fare from Mwiki to Airways
Ksh. 100
Let’s start with Hunters.
Life in Hunters
Water availability
No, there is no water problem here in Hunters.
All those I talked to said they had water throughout.
Food prices in Hunters
7 of the 10 people I talked to said food prices here are average.
3 said they’re high.
Verdict: Food here is reasonably priced, though not as cheap as it is in Mwiki.
Is Hunters safe?
All the 10 people I talked to said Hunters is safe. The main road plus the streets/courts that branch from it, all are safe.
The courts are usually gated with a watchman manning them day and night.
The only area they identified as unsafe is the stage area along Mwiki Road, near the dumpsite.
Life in Sunton
A few meters down the road, you get to Sunton.
Water availability
9 of the 10 people I talked to said water is not a problem.
Verdict: You are unlikely to face water challenges here at Sunton.
Food prices in Sunton
6 of the 10 interviewees said food prices are average.
3 said they’re high.
1 said they’re low.
Is Sunton safe?
In 2023, there was 1 case of insecurity in Sunton reported in the media here.
So far in 2024, there’s none.
And what about unreported cases?
For the unreported cases, I talked to the residents.
All 10 people I talked to said Sunton is safe, apart from a few isolated cases.
When I asked which part of Sunton is unsafe, they all said, “Nahuko chini.” Or, “Ukivuka mto.”
Curious, I crossed the small river they talked about. I found out “Nahuko chini” actually has a name, and it’s called Chieko (Ciiko).
They all said this place has many cases of theft.
Verdict: Careful with the Chieko area.
And now towards the end of town, we get to Mwiki.
Life in Mwiki
Water availability
10/10 of the people I talked to said they have no water problem.
They said it’s only a day or two a week that they don’t have a water supply.
Food prices in Mwiki
The guy who said life in Mwiki was cheap was right. Here, again, all the 10 people I talked to said market food prices are low. They actually used the words “affordably low.”
Is Mwiki safe?
7 out of the 10 people I talked to said Mwiki is safe. They, however, identified Maisa, ACK Road from Street 14 onwards, Dambaki, Red Soil Road, and the lower part of Catholic Road as areas with the highest insecurity.
Verdict: The areas near the main road (Mwiki Road) are secure. As you move towards the interior areas, insecurity grows. Be careful with the above risk areas, especially at night (from 9 pm).
If you are running a business be on the lookout for thieves who masquerade as customers. They come to your shop pretending to buy. One of them distracts you with questions as others steal, mostly your phone.
The shocking thing is that these thieves are usually young women who also carry children to appear innocent.
Also, avoid using your phone at night after alighting a matatu. The illuminated screen can be seen from a mile away.
There has been at least one case of insecurity in 2024 reported in the media. Read it here.
In 2023, there was at least three cases. Read them here, here, and here.
What residents love about Mwiki
“Affordable life.”
“Affordable rental houses.”
“No water challenges.”
“Peaceful even during political demonstrations.”
“Businesses pick very fast.”
What residents don’t like about Mwiki
“Alcoholism. There are more pubs than churches.”
“High fare prices.”
“Traffic jam along Mwiki Road.”
“Unfinished inner roads are very dusty.”
“Noise pollution by matatus (for those with businesses touching Mwiki Road)”
“Pockets of insecurity.”
Business ideas
If you’re thinking of setting up a business in Mwiki, think of the following:
•Grocery (mama mboga) or a chips, chapati, mandazi, mutura joint
•Mitumba clothes
•Mali mali (small trader)
•Beauty shop
All right! That is what you expect to find when you relocate to Mwiki. Send the link to this post to a friend who is looking for a house in Maternity, Hunters, Sunton, or Mwiki.
See the places where you’ll find affordable rental houses in Kasarani.
