Why nobody dares touch the cash and gold in Eastleigh

The evidence is the interest the area is attracting from major banks, airlines, courier companies as well as clearing and forwarding companies, which have opened branches here. Property prices have sky-rocked and, currently, are among the highest in Nairobi.

On average, a front-row plot on the main road — around Garissa Lodge — goes for no less than Sh50 million. Further inside, it is Sh20 million.

“Comparatively, a similar size of commercial plot at the city’s Upper Hill area goes for about Sh30 million or Sh8 million in the Ngara area,” says the manager of a property company.

Unlike in most other commercial centres where building buyers retain them, those in Eastleigh demolish them and put up shopping malls.

“There is certainly big money rushing to that area, much of it from the Somali community,” says Mr Tom Odongo, the director of city planning.

Land owners are not the only people cashing in on the rush for business here. In the recent past, hawkers have joined in and are selling their allotted space to gullible traders from northern Kenya.

A wheelbarrow

Some of them are said to pay up to Sh50,000 for space big enough only for a wheelbarrow.

“Such transactions are illegal and void because the space being sold is part of the road, sometimes right on the tarmac, but those buying do not seem to mind,” says area chief John Chege Irungu.

This has prompted the city council to classify the area as a commercial zone, and the ongoing planning and rehabilitation will look at it as a business, rather than residential, area,” says Mr Odongo.

He adds that this puts the area in the same category as upmarket Westlands.

“There are still some residential plots in the area, but all are under extreme pressure to transform into business premises, and I’m sure they will eventually relent.”

The official adds that the council is already drawing up a rehabilitation plan for the area, that will ease the traffic congestion and offer easy pedestrian movement.

“This will offer convenience for shopping and other activities and harness the general business atmosphere,’’ he adds.

But Eastleigh has other headaches to contend with, and nobody knows this better than Chief Irungu, who has to occasionally turn to kadhis for help, especially on matters to do with customs and traditions. Among the common issues are marital.