Ruaka is not your average neighborhood. Rental houses here are expensive! So if you are on a budget, where do you find affordable houses?
I have the answers. This guide is perfect if you don’t know where to find affordable houses in Ruaka and you want to avoid getting scammed by fake agents.
If this sounds like you, don’t worry. I will show you where to find affordable single rooms, double rooms, bedsitters, 1 (one), and 2 (two) bedroom houses in Ruaka.
I’ll also give you ideas of businesses you can set up here.
Say, for example, you want a Ksh. 8,000 bedsitter. Use this guide to identify the places that have a bedsitter going for Ksh. 8,000 or less, then go there and see if one is vacant. Or send someone to check for you.
Please note that all prices are in Kenya Shillings (Ksh.) per month.
If you need a hand in finding a vacant house at a small fee, contact me. But first, read on.
Highlights
I’ll show you where to find:
•Single rooms 4,000
•Bedsitters 7,000
•1 bedroom 8,000
•2 bedroom 13,000
Is Ruaka a good place to live?
Before we dive into places where you’ll find affordable rental houses, let’s take a closer look at Ruaka.
How is life in Ruaka?
Because the rent you’ll pay is one piece of the puzzle.
Daily fare, time spent commuting, food prices, water availability, and security are other factors you should consider.
So what is it like living there? And is it a good fit for you? Let’s find out.
This is what to expect when you relocate to Ruaka.
Where is Ruaka located?
Ruaka is located along Limuru Road after Muthaiga, Gigiri, and Kitisuru.
From CBD you join Limuru Road at Ngara Fig Tree.
Ruaka directions from Thika town
Take a matatu to Ruiru, then take another to Ruaka.
You can also take a matatu to town and alight at Ngara footbridge or Koja stage, then take a matatu to Ruaka.
Ruaka is in which county?
Ruaka is in Kiambaa constituency in Kiambu County.
Distance from Ruaka to Nairobi CBD
The distance from Ruaka to Koja stage in Nairobi is 13.6 km.
Where do I board matatu to Ruaka?
The Ruaka matatu stage in Nairobi is located at the Koja stage along Tom Mboya Street near the fire station.
You can also board at the lower side of Latema Road near River Road.
Fare from Nairobi CBD to Ruaka
30-50 during off-peak hours.
Ksh. 80 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 what your budget will look like.
(80×2) x 5 days = 800
800 x 4 weeks = 3,200
In addition to rent, you’ll spend approximately Ksh 3,200 in fares per month if you decide to live in Ruaka.
Traffic jam pain points
The main traffic pain points are Gigiri at UN, and after Two Rivers Mall as you enter Ruaka town.
If you are heading to town, the Globe Roundabout is also notorious for traffic snarl-ups.
Other fares
Fare from Ruaka to Westlands
Ksh. 80
Fare from Ruaka to Thika
Ksh. 150-170
Fare from Ruaka to Ruiru
Ksh. 80-100
Fare from Ruaka to Ndenderu
Ksh. 30
Fare from Ruaka to Limuru
Ksh. 80-100
Fare from Ruaka to Karura
Ksh. 40
Fare from Ruaka to Wangige
Ksh. 50
Fare from Ruaka to Kikuyu
Ksh. 80
Fare from Ruaka to Nakuru
Ksh. 700
Fare from Ruaka to Kisumu
Ksh. 1,500
Fare from Ruaka to Busia
Ksh. 2,000
Water availability
Water is NOT a problem in Ruaka. I talked to 10 residents about water availability and all of them said they had water throughout.
Food prices in Ruaka market
8 out of 10 people I talked to said that food prices in Ruaka are high.
The remaining 2 said food prices here are average.
Is Ruaka safe?
In 2023, insecurity had skyrocketed in Ruaka. In July of that year, an angry mob lynched a suspected thief along Slaughter Road. The same fate met another in December near the main stage.
The media reported at least one case of insecurity. Read it here.
So far in 2024, there have been 0 cases of insecurity in Ruaka reported in the media.
What about unreported cases?
For the unreported cases, I talked to the residents.
They said 2024 has been safe, but identified the Ruaka Bypass as a crime hotspot. Be careful when you get to this place.
Why residents love Ruaka
“It’s not congested.”
“Good, modern houses (though pricey).”
“Fresh, uncontaminated groceries from nearby farms.”
“Good for business.”
“People are social.”
“Urban amenities. Mall, hospitals, schools.”
“Cool climate.”
What residents don’t like about Ruaka
“Life is expensive… expensive food and houses.”
“No street lighting at the roundabout. It breeds insecurity.”
“Inner roads are not paved.”
“Alcoholism among the youth.”
Business ideas
If you’re thinking of a business venture in Ruaka, think of the following:
•Green grocery store
•Fast food joint
•Salon or beauty shop
•Liquor store
•Boutique
All right! Let’s dive in. Please note that all prices are in Kenya Shillings (Ksh.) per month.
Rental Houses Along Rosslyn Slaughter Road
Just after Total Energies Rosslyn, take a left turn to join Ruaka Hill Road.
It is a stretch that slopes down then up to join Slaughter Road right ahead (see insert).
Up the hill on your right you will find:
•Single rooms 4,000
•Bedsitters 9,000 ; 10,000
•1 bedroom 15,000
At the very end, take a right turn.
Here are the houses located at the start of this very long stretch of road that goes all the way to the Chief’s camp (Kwa Chief).
Let’s start with (A):
•1 bedroom 8,000
Left turn (B):
•Single rooms 4,500
•Double rooms 8,000
And (C):
•1 bedroom 11,000
This area has the largest concentration of single rooms in this area. You will find:
•Single rooms 4,500 ; 5,000
•Bedsitters 7,000 ; 8,500
•1 bedroom 15,000
Proceed a little.
Here there are:
•Single rooms 5,000
Then ahead, near the road that branches off to Quickmart.
These are the houses you’ll find here:
•Bedsitters 8,500 ; 10,000 ; 12,000
•1 bedroom 20,000
Right ahead, near California Road.
Here there are:
•Bedsitters 10,000
Proceed.
Here you’ll find:
•Single rooms 4,500
•1 bedroom 20,000
Let’s start with (A):
•2 bedroom 18,200
And (B):
•2 bedroom 20,000
Here there are:
•Bedsitters 8,500
•1 bedroom 10,000 ; 12,000
•2 bedroom 15,000
Rental Houses Along Banana Raini Road
Go right ahead until you reach the Nothern Bypass overpass.
Rental houses at Ruaka Bypass
Under the bypass, turn to your left (See insert) next to River Ruaka.
This area has many rental houses, all single rooms, apart from a few bedsitters. These are their rent prices:
•Single rooms 5,500
•Bedsitters 10,000
Proceed along Banana Road and you’ll find an inner road next to Cask Lounge.
Take a left turn.
Just before PCEA Ruaka, you’ll find:
•Bedsitters 8,500
•1 bed 18,000
After PCEA Ruaka you’ll find:
•1 bedroom 13,500 ; 15,000 ; 22,000
•2 bedroom 23,000 ; 25,000
Back to Banana Raini Road, proceed a little. There is a road branching to Kings Feast Assembly Church.
Take that road and up the hill you’ll find:
•Bedsitters 7,000 ; 8,000 ; 10,000 ; 11,000
•1 bedroom 14,000 ; 18,000
•2 bedroom 13,000
Beyond here, you’ll be heading to Muchatha. Check out the Guide to affordable houses in Muchatha.
That’s it. That’s all there is to this guide to rental houses in Ruaka. I hope it has been helpful. Send this post to a friend who is searching for a house in Ruaka.
