Residential Projects

Embakasi to Host Kenya’s 1st TOD Housing Project

The project seeks to promote the use of rail transport over vehicles.

Updated on

January 31, 2022

Jia Yangping and Charles Hinga sign MoU for the Mowlem project on Jan 19, 2022. PHOTO | STAR/MERCY MUMO

The government has signed a deal with a private developer for the establishment of the country’s first transit-oriented development (TOD) project in Nairobi as part of a strategy to promote the use of rail transport over public and private vehicles.

Under the deal, Seascan Development Limited will establish an affordable housing complex at Mowlem Ward, Embakasi West, which will be linked to the Dandora Commuter Rail Station to give residents a hassle-free access to rail transport.

The 4,900-unit development is expected to cost Sh18 billion.

According to Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga, the project will be completed in three phases – with phase one set to begin in April.

A total of 1,200 units will be built in phase one, 2,000 units in phase two, while the remaining 1,700 units will be accomplished in phase three.

“This development is of great interest to us because it will be the first of what we call transit-oriented development in Kenya,” Mr Hinga said during the signing of the deal on Jan 19.

High-density estates

TODs, which are quite popular in China, are high-density estates that are closely integrated with mass transit systems to promote the use of public transport.

They are strategically located to allow easy access to public transport hubs.

“The TOD model helps unlock the potential of cities and saves energy while still benefiting residents,” says Bryant Lu, Vice Chairman of Ronald Lu & Partners’ – a Hong Kong-based architectural firm with more than 60 TOD projects across China.

Kenya hopes to use the Mowlem project as the launchpad for similar schemes in Nairobi to expose citizens to affordable houses and easy access to rail transport.

Fidel Gondi, the director of Seascan Development said the design of the Mowlem project will allow buyers to live, work and play within the development.

“We will also provide social amenities within the compound that will allow people to live comfortably and still be able to enjoy with their families,” Mr Gondi said.

Initial details show that a studio unit (880 in total) will be sold for Sh1.8 million, while a one-bedroom unit (660) will be going for Sh3 million.

A two-bedroom unit (1,680) will be sold at Sh3.7 million, while a three-bedroom unit (1,680) will go for Sh5.4 billion.

The project’s contractor Jia Yangping has indicated that they are ready to commence with construction work as soon as the paper work is finalised.