The Developer's Digest, June to July 2016 Issue

JUNE JAN – JULY – MAR 2016 2016 ISSUE 

KENYA PROPERTY DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION 

A Publication by the Kenya Property Developers Association 

Save Energy and Environment 

with Green Building 

Cover Photo: THE ANGAMA MARA SAFARI LODGE 

Located high above the floor of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, Angama Mara is a safari lodge that 

overlooks Kenya’s Maasai Mara, considered by many as the loveliest game reserve on the continent. 

IN 

THIS 

ISSUE 

Focus on Policy 

Overview on KPDA Activities 

NCC Building Permitting Approval Report 

Kenya Property Developers Association... Development brings Development! 

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From the Secretariat 

Focus on Policy 

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Board Member 

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Page 6: 

Overview on KPDA 

Activities 

Page 11: KPDA Partnerships 

Page 13: NCC Building Permitting 

Approvals 

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Margaret Kibe 

Board Member 

Gikonyo Gitonga 

Board Member 

Caroline Karugu 

Board Member 

KPDA SECRETARIAT 

George Wachiuri 

Board Member 

Chief Executive Officer: Elizabeth Mwangi – Oluoch 

Membership Relations Officer: Liz Kayaki 

Finance and Administrative Assistant: Nelly Oneya 

Membership and Administrative Assistant: Philip Kisaka 

Research and Development Intern: Samuel Kiarie 

The Secretariat address is : 

Fatima Flats, Suite 4B, Marcus Garvey Road off Argwings Kodhek 

Road, Nairobi | Tel: + 254 737 530 290 | 0705 277787 

Email: admin@kpda.or.ke | Website: www.kpda.or.ke 

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Kenya Property Developers Association... Development brings Development!

FROM THE SECRETARIAT 

“Choose a Job That You Like, and You Will 

Never Have To Work a Day In Your Life.” 

- Confucius, Philosopher 

Welcome to the third issue of The 

Developer’s Digest. In this issue we bring 

you an overview on the activities that 

KPDA has held over the past couple of 

months, one amongst them being our 

first workshop in over 5 years. 

The Membership and Outreach 

Committee is proud to have organized a 

successful two day workshop on the 5th 

and 21st of July 2016 and whose final 

day featured a technical training ideal 

for middle and operational staff as well 

as top management. The committee 

has noted that overwhelming positive 

response we received from participants 

and will be looking into organizing more 

of the same in the near future. 

Also in this issue features our ‘Focus 

on Policy’ article with an emphasis on 

green and sustainable buildings. We at 

KPDA are passionate about sustainable 

development, evident through our 

partnership with the UN Habitat – Urban 

Energy Unit, the Kenya Green Building 

Society and the Delegation of German 

Industry and Commerce in Kenya under 

the Federal Republic of Germany. 

We encourage to attend the upcoming 

KGBS Annual Conference and Training 

which is coming up in the month of 

August. Details on this conference are 

availed inside this issue. 

As always, we continue to share our 

KPDA wishes to welcome our newest members: 

• Haussmann Group Ltd 

• Boleyn Magic Wall Panel Limited 

• Stanlib Kenya Limited 

• Nabo Capital Ltd 

• Bontola Group Ltd 

research reports with you and in this 

issue you will find the Nairobi City 

County Government Building Permitting 

Approvals Report for the period April to 

June 2016. 

Once again, I would like to thank 

our members and partners for their 

unwavering belief in us and the support 

you continue to give. 

I wish you all a very profitable and happy 

month of August. 

Elizabeth 

• Saj Ceramics 

• Honeywell Technologies (K) Limited 

• Warrior Insight Ltd 

• Karanja Njenga Advocates 

• National Cooperative Housing Union (Nachu) 

Welcome to the KPDA Family! 

HOW TO GET THE LATEST 21 ST CENTURY 

SECURITY IN KENYA WITHOUT THE BIG PRICE TAG 

If you live and work in Nairobi you know 

that security is not taken lightly; Barbed 

wire, high brick walls and uniformed 

guards protect our homes, electric 

fences, CCTV cameras, dogs and more 

uniformed guards monitor our building 

sites, our businesses and properties, and 

we all go through security checks at 

every entrance to any public building, 

be it an office, a hotel, a mall, or a 

restaurant. People need to feel that they 

are safe, that their business is secure 

and that their property is protected 

from theft, vandalism, or these days, the 

sinister threat of terrorism. 

And there is no shortage of security 

companies and contractors offering a 

range of products and services to meet 

this ever growing demand. But the 

question to ask is, ‘are they the right 

solutions?’ and most importantly, ‘are 

they working?’ Adam Miller, the CEO of 

leading East African risk management 

company Warrior Insight says the 

answer, quite simply, is ‘no’. 

“Current systems are outdated, easily 

corruptible, and not up to the task 

– they just don’t work anymore,” he 

says. “As criminals are becoming more 

sophisticated and the rate of crime is 

increasing, it’s time for businesses to get 

smart and update their solutions, which 

is why we’ve developed RS24. 

Now, when new clients come to us 

looking for a better solution than more 

CCTV cameras and extra guards, which 

has been the standard for many years 

now, we know we can offer a game 

changing, 21st Century system, using 

the latest technology specifically tailored 

to the needs of the Kenyan market, and 

that’s RS24.” 

Warrior Insight’s latest product is a new 

security system created to address 

rising industrial and business crime 

rates in Nairobi. RS24 is designed to 

replace current security measures such 

as manned guarding, electric fencing, 

intruder alarms and guard dogs with 

a combination of advanced video 

analytics software, monitored around 

the clock by Warrior Insight’s Command 

and Control Centre, plus real-time audio 

intervention, promising to detect and 

intercept criminals to stop them before 

they have a chance to commit a crime. 

RS24 is the first security system of its 

kind in East Africa, based on the latest 

international security technologies 

available, and similar to systems that 

are currently used around the world 

to protect nuclear facilities, airports, 

embassies and government buildings. 

Adam explains, “If a virtual trip wire line 

is crossed, a video alarm is immediately 

displayed in our command and control 

centre and a member of the Warrior 

Insight analysis team can immediately 

assess the risk. If necessary they will issue 

a voice warning to the intruder via loud 

speaker systems which sit alongside our 

surveillance cameras. Over 90% of the 

time this will stop them in their tracks 

and the break-in never happens.” 

“RS24 takes away the human element. I 

know my factory is being protected day 

and night, and the virtual trip wires and 

audio alert system really do work to turn 

intruders away. It’s been fantastic. We’ve 

had zero theft since installation, and I’ve 

saved 30% on guard costs.” – Ross Field, 

Director Specialised Fibreglass Limited 

WWW.RS24.tech 

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PURSHOTTAM PLACE / OFF WESTLANDS ROAD / WESTLANDS / P.O Box 1202-00502 NAIROBI, KENYA / E-MAIL: solutions@rs24.tech 

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KPDA PREMIUM MEMBER PROFILE 

3 

HFGS Offers 

Giza Systems’ 

Entire Product 

Family 

HF Giza Systems, which was fully acquired by Giza Systems last March, continues to serve the Kenyan 

market with a wider, more comprehensive portfolio of services and solutions. 

The acquisition opens up new markets to HFGS Kenya through offices in Egypt, Saud Arabia, United 

Arab Emirates, and Qatar. This fact coupled with Giza Systems’ vast geographic footprint in Tanzania, 

Uganda, and Nigeria, will surely accelerate and ensure the growth of the company and position it as a 

global integrated smart solutions provider. 

Our broad-based family of products and services enable us to cater to various sectors including: 

• Power 

• Telecom 

• Water 

• Transportation 

• Enterprise 

• Smart Cities 

• Manufacturing 

• Airports 

• Healthcare, Hospitality and Real Estate • Retail Outlets and Shopping Malls 

• Oil and Gas 

During the past two decades, HFGS has implemented various successful projects for a number of its 

customers, installing state-of-the-art solutions including energy management systems, multimedia 

systems, fire and security systems. With this acquisition, the company now also benefits from in-house 

applications to serve the vision of new smart city projects like home automation, smart metering, and 

emergency response centers. 

Among HFGS’ clients are Golf Course Hotel Nairobi, Tamarind Tree Hotel, Airtel Tanzania, Julius Nyerere 

International Airport T3 Phase 1, Ramada Resort Dar Es Salaam, Ngalawa Beach Resort, Public Service 

Pension Fund Towers, and others. 

Our Offices 

• Egypt 

• Saudi Arabia 

• United Arab Emirates 

• Qatar 

Address: Kitisuru Rd., off Peponi Rd., opposite Thigiri Ridge Rd. 

P.O. Box 73825-00200 Nairobi, Kenya 

Tel: +254 203 862 737, Mobile: +254 722 741 645 

Email: hfgizasystems@gizasystems.com 

www.hfgizasystems.com 

• Tanzania 

• Uganda 

• Nigeria 

• Kenya 

SAVE ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT WITH 

GREEN BUILIDINGS 

By Arthur Mijumbi, a Civil and Structural Engineer with Sampar Ltd, Uganda 

There have been so many posts on 

social media describing the infamous 

Kampala heat; global warming is no 

longer an abstract topic taught in 

schools, Ugandans are living it. Unlike 

what people define as heat back in the 

1960s when trees were still in plenty, the 

current Ugandan heat is more severe. 

A warm shower in the morning is no 

longer necessary and in the evening, you 

will get a warm shower without asking 

for it. 

Uganda is one of the 196 countries in the 

world facing the overwhelming elements 

of climate change. The devastating 

effects of pollution on the environment 

have become more obvious in recent 

years, sparking a movement to promote 

energy efficiency, less reliance on fossil 

fuels, and a reduction in air and water 

pollution through a concept called green 

building. 

A green building, also known as a 

sustainable building is, according 

to Sampar Projects Engineer, Arthur 

Mijumbi, ‘a building that is designed, 

built, renovated, operated, or reused 

in an ecological and resource-efficient 

manner. It is designed to meet certain 

objectives such as protecting the 

occupants’ health; using energy, water, 

and other resources more efficiently; 

and reducing the overall impact on the 

environment.’ 

CONSIDERATIONS WHEN SETTING UP 

A GREEN BUILDING: 

1. Resource Efficiency 

This is done by selecting sustainable 

construction materials and products by 

evaluating several characteristics such 

as reused and recycled content, zero or 

low off-gassing of harmful air emissions. 

It may also be zero or low toxicity, 

sustainably harvested materials, high 

recyclability, durability, longevity, and 

local production; promotion of resource 

conservation and efficiency. Reusing and 

recycling construction and demolition 

materials, for example, using inert 

demolition materials as a base course for 

most of our parking lots and residential 

home slab-bases, minimizes the costs of 

construction. 

2. Air Quality and Safety 

Choosing construction materials and 

interior finishing products with zero 

or low emissions improves indoor air 

quality. According to the Environment 

Protection Agency, many building 

materials and maintenance products 

emit toxic gases, such as volatile organic 

compounds and formaldehyde. 

These gases can have detrimental 

effects on the occupants’ health and 

productivity. The research says providing 

adequate ventilation and a highefficiency, 

in-duct filtration system can 

have a positive impact on indoor air 

quality. Preventing indoor microbial 

contamination through the selection of 

materials resistant to microbial growth 

provides effective drainage from the roof 

and surrounding landscape. 

Green building requires installation 

of adequate ventilation in bathrooms 

and allows proper drainage of airconditioning 

coils. Design other building 

systems to control humidity. Buildings 

with good overall environmental quality 

can reduce the rate of respiratory 

disease, allergies, asthma, sick building 

symptoms and enhance performance. 

“The potential financial benefits of 

improving indoor environments exceed 

costs by a factor of eight and 14,” reads a 

Fisk and Rosenfeld research. 

3. Energy Efficiency 

Passive design strategies can 

FOCUS ON POLICY 

dramatically affect a building’s energy 

performance. These include building 

shape and orientation, passive solar 

design, and the use of natural lighting. 

Studies have shown that natural lighting 

has a positive impact on productivity 

and wellbeing. Depending on which part 

of Uganda you may be living in, using 

a properly sized and energy efficient 

heat or cooling system with a thermally 

efficient building shell is a good choice. 

Consider alternative energy sources 

such as photovoltaics and fuel cells that 

are now available in new electronics. 

Buildings with properly thought-out and 

executed measures can consume from 

40% to up to 90% less energy than similar 

building structures of conventional 

construction. 

4. Water Conservation 

Uganda’s climate is tropical and generally 

rainy, with two dry seasons of December 

to February and June to August. This 

means Ugandans who harvest rainwater 

are able to depend on it for most of the 

year. Designing for dual plumbing to 

use recycled water for toilet flushing 

or a gray-water system that recovers 

rainwater or other non-potable water for 

site irrigation, is a sure way to be mostly 

independent from the national water 

grid. Minimizing waste water by using 

ultra low-flush toilets, low-flow shower 

heads and other water conserving 

fixtures, will cut your water budget by 

half. 

5. Site Set Up and Management 

Protecting and retaining existing 

landscaping and natural features foils 

the need for irrigation and the use of 

fertilizers. Although a green building 

may cost more up front, it saves through 

lower operating costs over the life of the 

building. These cost saving measures can 

be met with professional help. 


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OVERVIEW ON KPDA ACTIVITIES 

The Kenya Property Developers Association was established in Nairobi in 2006 

as the representative body of the residential, commercial and industrial 

property development sector in Kenya. It is an emerging Business Member 

Organisation which works in proactive partnership with policy-makers, 

financiers and citizens to ensure that the property development industry 

grows rapidly but in an organized, efficient, economical and ethical manner. 

Our current membership stands at 85 members. 

REPORT ON THE WORKSHOP ON GREEN 

BUILDINGS AND ADVANCING INDUSTRY 

STANDARDS IN KENYA, TUESDAY 21 ST JUNE 2016 

Advocacy that champions the interests of the 

industry to both the public sector and the wider 

private sector to ensure a better business 

environment for the property industry; 

Information on the latest issues affecting the 

industry, via regular publications, newsletters, 

media reports and research; 

Networking events, putting members in touch with 

industry leaders and potential clients; 

Networking events, putting members in touch with 

industry leaders and potential clients; 

Marketing opportunities for member companies 

with discounts offered to various advertising 

platforms; 

Discounted rate at both KPDA events and events 

organized by international and regional 

organizations in the building and construction 

industry; 

Access to emerging markets and exposure to joint 

venture opportunities. 

While KPDA membership is open only to 

companies, the benefits of membership extend to 

all staff in member companies. 

The Association’s strategic objectives include working with the Government 

and other stakeholders to promote policies that stimulate the property sector; 

contributing to excellence in building through promotion of world-class 

ethical standards and educational programs; compiling focused research and 

analysis to inform investment decisions, policy analysis and public education; 

developing new financing mechanisms to help low and middle income 

Kenyan families own homes; providing a forum where property investors can 

share expertise and build business contacts; and harmonising development 

activities with citizen concerns, like neighbourhood associations and 

environmental preservation groups. 

WHY JOIN THE KPDA FAMILY? 

Access to 

potential 

investors 

Working 

closely with 

government 

institutions 

Increase 

your business 

profit 

KPDA 

MEMBERS 

Working 

closely with 

regulatory 

authorities 

Strategic 

partnerships to 

ease land 

processes 

Opportunities 

for forming joint 

ventures with 

national and 

international 

industry players 

Development brings 

development! Become a part of 

this formidable family! 

Let KPDA become your partner in advocacy, 

education, information, research and 

helping develop your business. 

On Tuesday 21st June 2016, the 

Embassy of the Federal Republic 

of Germany in Nairobi, Kenya 

in collaboration with KPDA 

organized a workshop on ‘Green 

Buildings and Advancing 

Industry Standards in Kenya.’ 

The workshop which was held 

at the Intercontinental Nairobi 

hotel was attended by 80 

participants drawn from the 

built and energy sector in Kenya. 

Some of the speakers at the 

forum were from the Kenya 

Green Building Society, 

KPDA, the Kenya Association 

of Manufacturers, and the 

German Embassy. The event 

was graced by Michael Derus, 

Deputy Ambassador and Head 

of Economic Affairs of the 

Federal Republic of Germany in 

Kenya and the Deputy Nairobi 

Governor H.E. Jonathan Mueke. 

For more information, kindly contact 


Fatima Flats, Suite B4 Marcus Garvey Road 

our KPDA secretariat on 

Off Argwings Kodhek, Kilimani Area 

0737 Kenya 530 290 Property or 0705 Developers 277 787 Association... or Development brings P. O. Box Development! 

76154 – 00508 Nairobi, Kenya 


by Email: admin@kpda.or.ke. 

Telephone: +254 737 530290/0705 277787 

Email: admin@kpda.or.ke Website: www.kpda.or.ke 

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REPORT ON THE KPDA WORKSHOP, TUESDAY 5 TH 

JULY 2016 AT THE CROWNE PLAZA NAIROBI 

THEME: ‘CAPITAL FUNDING AND STRUCTURING’ 

Decisions relating to financing the 

assets of a firm are very crucial in every 

business and the finance manager is 

often caught in the dilemma of what 

the optimum proportion of debt and 

equity should be. As a general rule 

there should be a proper mix of debt 

and equity capital in financing the 

firm’s assets. Capital structure is usually 

designed to serve the interest of the 

equity shareholders. 

On Tuesday 5th July 2016 KPDA held 

a workshop with the theme ‘Capital 

Funding and Structuring’ at the 

Intercontinental Nairobi Hotel. The 

workshop had speakers and panellists 

from the following organizations: 

1. Chigwell Holdings Ltd 

2. HFC Ltd 

3. Fusion Capital, Kenya 

4. Shelter Afrique 

5. HF Development & Investment Ltd 

6. Phatisa Group 

7. Coulson Harney Advocates 

8. Horizon Africa Capital Ltd 

9. Co-operative Bank of Kenya 

10. Viva Africa Consulting and 

11. Kenya Commercial Bank 

The event was attended by seventy 

(70) participants and was very well 

received. 

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: 



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REPORT ON THE 

KPDA TECHNICAL 

WORKSHOP, 

THURSDAY 21 ST 

JULY 2016 AT THE 

CROWNE PLAZA 

NAIROBI 

THEME: ‘BUILDING A REAL 

ESTATE FINANCIAL MODEL’ 

It was followed thereafter by a Technical 

Workshop on ‘Building a Real Estate 

Financial Model’ on Thursday 21st July 

2016 at the same venue. Guests attending 

this workshop received in-depth training 

on creating a financial model and were 

even provided with a template and case 

study to comprehensively take them 

through the practical aspect of building 

the model. The Technical Workshop was 

attended by seventy one (71) participants 

who varied from high level management 

staff to middle and operational level staff. 

KPDA would like to thank the sponsors of 

the workshop, HFC Ltd and HFDI without 

whose support, the forum would not 

have been successful. 

DID YOU KNOW? 


WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF BECOMING A KPDA MEMBER? 

1. Advocacy that champions the interests of the industry to 

both the public sector and the wider private sector to ensure 

a better business environment for the property industry; 

2. Information on the latest issues affecting the industry, 

via regular publications, newsletters, media reports and 

research; 

3. Networking events, putting members in touch with industry 

leaders and potential clients; 

4. Professional development courses which reflect the changing 

nature of the property industry; 

5. Marketing opportunities for member companies with 

discounts offered to various advertising platforms; 

6. Discounted rate at both KPDA events and events organized 

by international and regional organizations in the building 

and construction industry; 

7. Access to emerging markets and exposure to joint venture 

opportunities. 

HOW TO JOIN THE KENYA PROPERTY DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION 

The Kenya Property Developers Association (KPDA) was established in Nairobi in 2006 as the representative body of 

the residential, commercial and industrial property development sector in Kenya. We are an emerging Business 

Member Organisation which works in proactive partnership with policy-makers, financiers and citizens to ensure that 

the property development industry grows rapidly but in an organized, efficient, economical and ethical manner. 

Our current membership is a diverse make up of all industry players including property development firms, real estate 

agents and managers, professional firms, industry suppliers, government agencies, institutional investors and 

managers and financial institutions who are based both in Kenya and globally. Principally, KPDA champions the 

interests of the industry to ensure a better business environment. 

Benefits of Joining KPDA 

Become a part of an influential body representing major industry players. And help set our wide-ranging and 

diverse agenda. 

Join the conversation on policy reforms through our unique engagement with influential government players that 

contribute to the overall success of your business. 

Access to information on the latest issues affecting the industry, via regular publications, newsletters, media 

reports and research; 

Participate in networking events, putting you in touch with industry investors and potential clients; 

Attend professional development courses which reflect the changing nature of the property and indeed building 

and construction industry as a whole; 

Access marketing opportunities that will increase your business profits as you meet potential clients and partners 

during KPDA events 

While membership to KPDA is open only to registered companies or organizations, the benefits of membership 

extend to all staff in our member companies or organizations. 

Categories of Membership 

1. Premium Membership (Open to Developers and Non Developers) 

2. Corporate Membership (Open to Developers Only) 

3. Associate Membership (Open to Developers and Non Developers) 

CATEGORY ENTRANCE FEES ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION TOTAL 

Premium Member Kshs. 25, 000 Kshs. 65, 000 Kshs. 85, 000 

Corporate Member Kshs. 12, 000 Kshs. 25, 000 Kshs. 37, 000 

Associate Member Kshs. 12, 000 Kshs. 25, 000 Kshs. 37, 000 

UPCOMING KPDA EVENTS: 

Date: Friday 9th September 2016 

Venue: Goan Gymkhana Club 

Event Name: KPDA Corporate Networking Koroga Event (6.30pm onwards) 

Date: Thursday 3rd November 2016 

Venue: Villa Rosa Kempinski 

Event Name: KPDA Gala Dinner (6.00pm onwards) 


Membership Admission Requirements 

In order to join KPDA, the following should be submitted to the KPDA Secretariat: 

1) Fill the KPDA Membership Application Form 

2) Sign the KPDA Code of Conduct 

3) Attach a copy of your company's certificate of registration or incorporation and 

4) Make the relevant payment 

Submission may be made either physically or electronically. For more information, please contact: 

The KPDA Membership Relations Officer, Liz Kayaki 

Kenya Property Developers Association 

Fatima Flats, Suite 4 B 

Marcus Garvey Road off Argwings Kodhek Road, Kilimani Area 

P. O. Box 76154 - 00508 

NAIROBI, KENYA 

Telephone: +254 737 530 290/0705 277 787 

Email: e.kayaki@kpda.o.ke 

Website: www.kpda.or.ke 

Welcome to the KPDA Family! 


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KPDA PARTNERSHIPS

NCC BUILDING PERMITTING APPROVALS 


NAIROBI CITY COUNTY GOVERNMENT BUILDING 

PERMITTING APPROVALS ACTIVITY REPORT 

APRIL - JUNE 2016 

SOURCE 

The 2016 Quarter 2 KPDA NCCG 

Building Permitting Approvals Activity 

Report provides a summary of statistical 

information on planning permitting 

activity in Nairobi for the period April to 

June 2016. Only statistics received from 

the Nairobi City County Government, 

Urban Planning Department have been 

used as references. 

This report uses building permitting 

approval requests submitted to the 

Nairobi City County Government which 

are then analysed and approved by 

a specialist committee appointed by 

the Urban Planning Department of 

the Nairobi City County Government. 

The report contains information on 

applications that have been approved 

by the specialist committee highlighting 

development locations, types, values, 

application revenues and process 

performances. 

Fortis Tower, a building developed by AMS Properties Limited 

PERMIT APPLICATION ACTIVITY BY LOCALITY 

There are more development activities on the Western side 

of Nairobi compared to the Eastern side. The highest permits 

were approved at Karen, Industrial Area, Westlands, Runda and 

Kilimani Area. 

1. Karen has the highest percentage of permits locality 

wise. This would be as a result of the construction 

of the Southern Bypass connecting the Nairobi - 

Naivasha Highway to Mombasa Road. The bypass has 

also enabled easy and fast commuting to the Jomo 

Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport. 

The neighbourhood has an organized road network, 

with properly connected entry and exit routes that 

PERMIT APPLICATION ACTIVITY BY LOCALITY 

lead to and from Nairobi’s central business district. 

This provides for closer proximity to Nairobi’s central 

business district which most Kenyans find convenient. 

The high number of permits approved in the Karen 

area is also likely due to the high capital returns 

in rental and ownership income to be received by 

developers as the area is considered high-end. 

2. Kileleshwa has the least percentage of permits 

approved amongst the top 10 areas of developments 

approved. 

NB: Localities that do not appear in the graph had less than 2% 

presentation. 

STATISTICS 

A total of 733 planning applications 

were approved during this period. Other 

key statistics from this report include: 

1. Value of approved permits was 

over Kshs.34.9 billion worth 

of development projects and 

permitting fees collected were over 

Kshs.322.4 million; 

2. The highest value of buildings 

submitted for approval was Kshs. 

1, 700, 000, 000 by the Aga Khan 

University and the maximum 

submission fee paid was Kshs. 13, 

164, 660; 

3. On average the estimated value of 

development was Kshs. 47, 921, 689 

and that of submission fees totaled 

Kshs. 439, 962; 

4. The location of buildings with the 

highest percentage of permits/ 

approvals were from the below 

locations: 

• 11.46% in Karen 

• 6.82% in Industrial Area and 

• 4.5% in Westlands 

5. Based on the Kenyan Building Code 

of 1997, this report depicts permits 

that were issued in the following 

percentages in accordance to the 

named classifications below: 

• 80.6% (591) - Domestic 

Class (domestic buildings, 

commercial developments 

and offices) 

• 9.7% (71) - Public Class 

(religious buildings, social 

halls, libraries, schools, etc.) 

• 9.7% (71) - Warehouse Class 

(factories, industries and go 

downs) 

A comparative analysis is provided 

based on monthly performance. 

While every reasonable 

effort is made to ensure that 

the information provided in 

this report is accurate no 

guarantee for the currency 

or accuracy of information 

is made. The permitting 

data was provided to the 

KPDA by the Nairobi City 

County Physical Planning 

Department. 



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DWELLING RELATED ACTIVITY ACROSS NAIROBI 

NUMBER OF APPROVALS BY ZONAL USER DENSITY 

Buildings approved included domestic buildings, 

commercial developments, offices, religious buildings, 

social halls, libraries, schools, factories, industries 

and go downs. The following graph identifies permit 

applications that relate to various building classes: 

1. It is notable that 80.63% of the approvals for 

building permits were issued to the Domestic 

BUILDING CLASS BY LOCALITY 

Class of buildings. 9.69% permits were issued 

to the Public Class and 9.69% issued to the 

Warehouse Class. This can be majorly attributed 

to numerous emerging businesses, including but 

not limited to foreign investors and SMEs which 

has increased demand for offices. 

1. The Residential 

Class accounted 

for 77.22% of 

the approvals 

(which is very 

likely) due to the 

high demand 

by Kenyans to 

own a home 

and the increase 

in the middleaged 

working 

population 

who consider 

incurring the 

cost of buying a 

house rather than 

renting more 

significant an 

expense. 

2. Commercial 

Class buildings 

accounted for 

7.37%. 

THE VALUE TREND OF DEVELOPMENT PERMITTED BY THE NAIROBI CITY COUNTY GOVERNMENT 

1. The graph indicates Karen 

being the area with the 

highest number of Domestic 

Class approvals. Karen is 

dominated by residential 

homes. 

2. Industrial area topped 

in approvals related to the 

Warehouse Class mainly 

because the area has a high 

number of industries as well 

as warehouses set up. 

38% of the buildings 

presented for approvals 

were valued between 

Kshs, 10 million and Kshs. 

50 million. Most of these 

buildings were in the 

residential category. 



15 

16



ESTIMATED COST OF APPROVALS ISSUED BY THE NAIROBI CITY COUNTY GOVERNMENT 

PERMIT PROCESSING PERFORMANCE 

May recorded the 

highest number 

of approvals in the 

second quarter 

accounting 

for 45.75 of all 

approvals issued. 

May had the highest 

investments in terms 

of estimated value of 

buildings which was 

Kshs. 12, 862, 020, 082. 

GRAPH DEPICTING APPROXIMATE APPROVAL TIME TAKEN BY THE NAIROBI CITY COUNTY GOVERNMENT 

TO CARRY OUT BUILDING PERMITTING 

On average, the number 

of days taken for approvals 

to be issued increased 

between the months of 

April and May and again 

during the months of May 

and June. 

This approval time frame 

should be improved. 



17 

18


GRAPH DEPICTING APPROXIMATE APPROVAL TIME TAKEN BY THE NAIROBI CITY COUNTY GOVERNMENT 

TO CARRY OUT BUILDING PERMITTING 

Most of the permits took 

more than one month 

to be approved. This 

accounted for 60.98% 

of the total approvals 

percentage. 

KPDA TURNS 10! 

In 2016, the Kenya Property Developers Association marks ten (10) years since its establishment 

in 2006. What begun as the Kenya Private Developers Association and expanded its mandate in 

2010 (thus changing its name to the Kenya Property Developers Association) is now an 

organization with over one hundred and ten (110) members drawn from a diverse range of 

players in the Kenyan property industry. 

To mark this momentous achievement, KPDA has planned for a few activities that will be held 

towards the end of the year to celebrate this milestone with our partners and members. They 

include: 

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF Q2 2014 TO Q2 2015 

MONTH 

APRIL MAY JUNE 

Submission Fee 

Kshs. 121,627,370 Kshs. 131,027,883 Kshs. 69,837,397 

Estimated Value 

Kshs. 10,916,823,000 Kshs. 12,862,020,082 Kshs. 11,156,068,918 

Building Domestic 134 280 177 

Class Public 21 28 22 

Approvals Warehouse 21 27 23 

It is noted that there has been an increase in the worth of developments approved. Domestic buildings continue to have the 

highest number of approvals. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, KINDLY CONTACT THE KPDA SECRETARIAT 


Fatima Flats, Suite B4, Marcus Garvey Road 

Telephone: +254 737 530290/0705 277787 

Off Argwings Kodhek, Kilimani Area 

Email: research@kpda.or.ke or admin@kpda.or.ke 

P. O. Box 76154 – 00508 Nairobi, Kenya 


The publication of The Developer’s Digest; Souvenir Issue (August to October 2016) 

The publication of a newspaper supplement in one of our dailies 

An End of Year Gala Dinner 

We would like to inform our members and partners to diarise the KPDA Gala Dinner which is set 

for Thursday, 3 rd November 2016 at the Villa Rosa Kempinsky Hotel, Nairobi. 

Please contact the secretariat for more details. 


Fatima Flats, Suite 4 B 

Marcus Garvey Road off Argwings Kodhek Road, Kilimani Area 

P. O. Box 76154 - 00508 

NAIROBI, KENYA 

Telephone: +254 737 530 290/0705 277 787 

Email: e.kayaki@kpda.o.ke 


Development Brings Development 

While every reasonable effort is made to ensure that the information provided in this report is accurate no guarantee 

for the currency or accuracy of information is made. The permitting data was provided to the KPDA by the Nairobi City 

County Physical Planning Department. 



19 20


The Developer’s 

Digest 

A KPDA PUBLICATION 

MEDIA PACK 2016 

The Developer’s Digest is a bi-monthly 

e-newsletter supported and published 

by the Kenya Property Developers 

Association and designed by Insync 

MEDIA Limited. It targets the various 

players in the property industry in 

Kenya and highlights a wide spectre 

of issues affecting our members, other 

professionals, manufacturers and both 

private and public sector players in the 

industry. We seek to encourage positive 

dialogue and development. 

The Developer’s Digest is filled with 

current industry news, updates on the 

Association’s ongoing activities, views, 

interesting facts and specialty advertising 

messages. 

It is a free downloadable Mobile App 

onto any mobile device. 

We at The Developer’s Digest will work 

with you to create the most effective 

multi-platform advertising strategy that 

will ensure you reach your targeted 

consumer every direction they look. After 

all, the distance between you and your 

consumer, is no longer a straight line. 

If you take up advertising with The 

Developer’s Digest, we are also willing to 

offer you an opportunity for you to have 

interactive banner advertisements on our 

website. 

Kindly contact the Secretariat on 0737 

530290 or 0705 277787 or by email 

admin@kpda.or.ke. 

ADVERTISING RATES 

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WHY ADVERTISE THROUGH THE 

DEVELOPER’S DIGEST? 

We have a readership of over 1, 300 

people who are drawn from our 

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We offer a unique, flexible, converged 

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This includes our website, e-newsletter, 

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We keep track of our readership and are 

sensitive to emerging issues in the industry. 

It is a free and interactive online 

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Kenya Property Developers Association... Development brings Development!

The Developer's Digest, June to July 2016 Issue

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