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.

"A quarter acre of land at Uzima — the foot of Riat Hills — can fetch up to Sh700,000" mary sombe, Marketing Manager, Royalglobal Properties.

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.

"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.