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By Harold Ayodo
Nairobi West, which has gained notoriety as the centre of pubs in Nairobi, is transforming into a commercial and residential real estate hub. Property developers have recently embarked on construction of apartments and flats, taking advantage of the proximity of the area to the city centre.
Tuskys T-Mall is among the shopping outlets within the estate.
The construction of the ultra-modern T-Mall along Lang’ata Road and Nairobi West Mall on Muhoho Avenue is just a tip of the iceberg. The roads, however, are an eyesore and in dire need of expansion and recarpeting especially the Muhoho Avenue stretch that connects Nairobi West to South C.The National Housing Corporation (NHC) is constructing apartments with prices ranging from Sh5.75 million to Sh7.5 million. And some landlords of older houses are in the process of renovating their units in tune with modern architecture and charging higher rents.
Despite the on-going developments, the area is still widely known for its number of pubs with patrons at times even forced onto the pavement.
The pubs remain the crowd pullers especially for merry makers from other estates, but most residents here prefer to party far from ‘home’ in places like the Carnivore. Soccer lovers congregate at Taidy’s restaurant next to Deep West or cross over to joints at Nairobi West shopping centre.
Exorbitant prices
Due to the high demand for residential houses and commercial premises, landlords are making a killing with the highest possible prices. Tenants who secured spacious two-bedroom apartments at Sh18,000 three years ago have been served with notices for an increase to Sh25,000. 
Such shades are common in Nairobi West, which has the highest number of pubs in the city. Photo: Martin Mukangu/ Standard
Shoppers can opt for either Uchumi at Nairobi West Shopping Centre, Tusky’s at T-Mall, Uchumi (Lang’ata) or Nakumatt Mega (Uhuru Highway).
There are several churches in the area while Muslims can stroll to the mosque in South C along Muhoho Avenue.
Moi Educational Centre is among the landmark learning institutions with pupils from higher income families. Nairobi West Day Nursery School is among the public institutions located next to Shree Cutchi Leva Patel Samaj School and Social Hall.
There are private hospitals, nursery schools, guesthouses, lodges and new commercial premises like the highrise Pima House with ‘To Let’ notices.
The shopping centre is usually a beehive of activity over weekends as revellers feast on nyama choma (roast meat) as their cars are washed at Birongo Square. Barbers shops are plenty along Muthaiti Avenue and taxis are lined next to the joints for revellers to drunk to drive. Sports lovers can stroll across for matches at the nearby Nyayo National Stadium.
Upcoming flats behind the mall.Banks have capitalised on the flurry of business activities in the area by putting up their Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) at strategic locations.
Old matatus
Other than the roads, the other anti-climax of Nairobi West is perhaps the old number 14 matatus, which pales shamefully against the more stylish Lang’ata (number 15) matatus. However, the matatus should not be a bother as one can board alternative ones that ply Lang’ata Road and alight at Nyayo Stadium stage and stroll home on the well-lit streets.
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