Exclusive lords of Kisumu’s lakeview homes

By Harold Ayodo

Set beside the vast waters of the world’s largest fresh water lake, Kisumu’s landed gentry wake up to the panoramic views of Lake Victoria.

From atop their verandas and terraces they take in the calm beauty of the lake while sipping glasses of exotic wines or spirits.

This is Milimani Estate, which has for long been considered the abode for the high and mighty. Each home exudes its own distinct feel, the epitome of a good living.

It is easy to understand the background to the common phrase in the lakeside town that the affluent live while the rest merely exist.

The homes here are attractive with varying modern architectural design, high walls and electric fences to boot. The designs of houses were mainly maisonettes and bungalows until recently when private developers embarked on apartments and town houses.

The roads are smooth and tarmacked and police cars on patrol are common, thanks to the Nyanza Provincial Police Headquarters located in the multi-racial area. The only thing missing are penthouses, which are a hit in Nairobi where they go for over Sh120,000 per month.

Ounga Commercial Agencies director Eric Ounga says several reasons drive the rich to Milimani.

The Diana Luxury Apartments, which are under construction would be the pace setter of the residential reminiscent of Kilimani, Kileleshwa and Westlands in Nairobi.

The modern three bedroom units are selling at Sh7 million or rented at Sh40,000 per month, a modest amount for the lakeside town.

Expansive compounds

"Mansions in Milimani are selling at between Sh12 million to Sh15 million — depending on the size, location and design," Ounga says.

The fact that prices of property in Milimani rival traditional upmarket areas in Nairobi like Kilimani, Kileleshwa and Lavington speak volumes.

"The price of a quarter acre parcel of land here goes for between Sh15 million and Sh30 million depending on the location," Ounga says.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga is among the long list of socialites with homes at the palatial upmarket estate (the former Port Florence.) High profile business personalities, expatriates and professionals are among the residents of the posh estate where security is an overriding prerequisite.

Schools are not a problem to children as high cost institutions like Braeburn and Jalaram Academy are in the area. However, as the rich embrace Milimani, others are moving out to settle on the outskirts Riat Hills and Kajulu Hills.

Homes here are in expansive compounds, most of them forested, standing behind neatly trimmed hedges in this new suburb. Some residents have green houses where they plant vegetables within their compounds and majority have domesticated animals and birds.

It is a common joke at the lakeside town that most of the German shepherd species of dogs reared at Riat fair much better than most families.

The trademark of palatial homes in Riat hills— where the Kisumu Town West MP John Olago Aluoch was among the early settlers — is a hedge fence. Over 95 per cent of homes in this area with a countryside touch cannot be seen from the outside, thanks to the hedge fences.

And opening a shop here would call for losses as residents mainly get their supplies from supermarkets at the CBD.

Another plus for the area is that it is less than 15 minutes drive to the town centre. However, the Government should re-carpet the Kisumu-Kakamega Road.

Most homes have day and night security guards during the week as majority of the owners reside in Nairobi and Mombasa and occasionally fly in over the weekends.

Interestingly, just like Milimani, most homes here are constructed with upper balconies facing Lake Victoria to capture the breathtaking views.

Spectacular views

Seasoned lawyers, scholars, researchers and doctors are among homeowners on the hilltop off the Kisumu – Kakamega Road.

Some of the homeowners atop Riat Hills admit they were attracted by the rapid development of the estate.

In addition, most land sold here is freehold, meaning adjudication was done and residents registered as absolute owners as provided in the Registered Lands Act.

Other enterprising private developers are now constructing homes adjacent to the recently commissioned Uzima University located at the foot of Riat Hills.

"Personalities who prefer privacy at all costs are constructing homes from Uzima upward Riat Hills," Ounga says.

The wealthy prefer the hills for they offer spectacular views of not only Lake Victoria but an aerial view of Kisumu town. Furthermore, homeowners here have the luxury of watching aeroplanes land and take off from the Kisumu airport.

The atmosphere is cooler compared to the scorching heat that is reminiscent of Kisumu town. Real estate agents say the value of property on the hilltop would appreciate further if the local authority improved the infrastructure.

For instance, construction of tarmarked roads would make Riat follow in the footsteps of Karen, Lower Kabete and Kitisuru in Nairobi. Furthermore, the installation of streetlights would light up the area where homeowners use security lights around their homes and on gates at night.

"The potential of Riat Hills as a residential and commercial estate is enormous, but the municipality needs to do more to encourage investors," Ounga says.

Improved service delivery

Investors say the prices of land in the area have escalated as the wealthy scramble for vantage positions with a clear view of Lake Victoria. Riat is arguably the only area in the lakeside town where homeowners have driveways and two gates or more to their homes.

The wealthy also reside at Kajulu Hills – separated from Riat Hills by the Kisumu-Kakamega Road. However, the upper side of Kajulu (mainly referred to as Mamboleo) is becoming congested as encroachers make hay.

According to Ounga, an acre in Riat Hills in 1992 fetched less than Sh200,000 but the same plot of land is selling at Sh2 million or more today.

"The market price has changed tremendously . The closer one is to the road the higher the price," Ounga says.

Proximity to learning institutions, including Great Lakes University of Kisumu and the Catholic-run Uzima University attract investors. Other landmark institutions that have increased the thirst for the wealthy in the area are Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technology (Riat) and Ukweli Pastoral Centre.

Unlike most estates in Kisumu, there are no sights of boda bodas (bicycle taxis) or water vendors pulling carts in Riat Hills.

Royalglobal Properties marketing manager Mary Sombe says the wealthy are particular on their taste and preferences on the hillside.

"A quarter acre of land at Uzima — the foot of Riat Hills — can fetch up to Sh700,000 because of the ambience of the area," Sombe says.

According to Sombe, the wealthy are trooping to the area believing the municipality will improve infrastructure. However, residents of Riat are making do with rain harvesting as the Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company (Kiwasco) expands its services. The managing director, David Onyango, says Riat and Kajulu hills are among the fast developing residential areas that are within their plans.

"We have improved service delivery from 45 per cent about five years ago to slightly over 80 per cent this year. Riat is among our next projects," Onyango says.

Kisumu mayor Sam Okello says plans are underway to improve infrastructure towards attracting more prospective homeowners in the exclusive areas.

"Riat has emerged as the place of choice for the high and mighty in Kisumu," Okello says.

The mayor says plans are at an advanced stage to open up roads into the developing areas.

"We are about to unroll a programme towards improving basic infrastructure like roads and lighting so as to attract investors," Okello says.