Accessing areas with affordable rent, fare, and the cost of food are among the issues concerning a majority of Kenyans, with the government seeking to increase taxes in the financial year 2023/24.
For starters, employees are set to part way with 3 per cent of their salary in the proposed Housing Find Levy included in the Finance 2023 Bill - which is yet to be passed in Parliament.
This is in addition to Pay As You Earn (PAYE), the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) deductions made monthly.
Kenyans.co.ke details estates with affordable rent one can opt for as Kenyans tighten their belts for the new tax regime.
Donholm
Located in Embakasi, the estate hosts moderately affordable houses for Kenyans with a rental budget between Ksh10,000 - Ksh30,000.
According to property listings, a one-bedroom house in the area goes for Ksh12,000, with two-bedroom apartments beginning from Ksh15,000 to Ksh30,000. However, the prices vary depending on the apartment's location and age, among others.
Regarding transport, residents who work in town averagely use Ksh70 for a one-way trip while the Nairobi commuter train charges Ksh35 to the CBD.
Notably, the area is becoming lucrative as it is one of the estates that registered a decrease in rental prices.
According to the 2023 First Quarter report by HassConsult on April 29, rent in the estate decreased by 6.3 per cent in the last three months.
Kasarani
Another estate where Kenyans are moving to in search of affordable housing is Kasarani Estate.
Compared to Donholm, a one-bedroom apartment in the area averagely goes for Ksh17,000, while a two-bedroom house is rented out at an average price of Ksh22,000.
This estate could be ideal for Kenyans with a net income of Ksh50,000 and above owing to the 30 per cent rent - income rule.
Regarding transport, residents in the area pay between Ksh70-80 when travelling to the Central Business District (CBD).
Kahawa West
Located off Thika Road, Kahawa West offers city residents affordable rental rates.
A spot check by Kenyans.co.ke on property listings revealed that landlords charged an average of Ksh8,000 for bedsitters, Ksh10,000 for one bedroom and Ksh17,000 for a two-bedroom apartment.
Transport to the CBD is charged at Ksh80.
Uthiru and Kangemi
Located along Waiyaki Way, the two estates host several Kenyans seeking affordable rent rates.
A one-bedroom apartment in Kangemi is rented out at an average of Ksh8,000, with a two-bedroom apartment going for Ksh15,000.
In Uthiru, a bedsitter is rented at an average of Ksh8,000, a one-bedroom at Ksh12,000, while a two-bedroom apartment average goes for Ksh20,000.
Given its proximity to the CBD, transport to town is Ksh50, with vehicles taking 10 to 15 minutes on the road.
Nairobi Satelite Towns
In its First Quarter Report, HassConsult detailed that a number of Kenyans were opting to settle in the satellite towns given affordable housing.
"Rental price trends in the satellite towns are bucking the trend. Nearly all towns posted positive growth in apartment rental pricing, highlighting the increasing occupancy rate of apartments targeted at renters with a monthly budget between Ksh25,500 - 50,000.
"The demand for affordable rental properties, particularly apartments in satellite towns, has impacted the overall returns, as indicated by rental yields and capital gains," read the report in part.
Despite the rise in rental prices, some of the towns recorded a decrease in rental expenses, including Juja and Tigoni.
A one-bedroom apartment in Juja goes for Ksh17,000, with three-bedroom apartments - ideal for families- go for Ksh30,000.
Other Satellite Towns attracting Kenyans are Kiserian, Kitengela, Ruaka, Syokimau, Ngong, Thika and Kiambu.
This is also attributed to the demand for land in the satellite towns where Kenyans are seeking to invest in owing to the increase in land value.
"The Hass Land Composite index, Nairobi satellite index value was 1037.4 outperforming Nairobi suburbs which had an index value of 628.5," Head of Development Consulting and Research at HassConsult, Sakina Hassanali stated.
