ORIGIN OF KAMAKIS
Kamakis is named after a land proprietor. Kamakis was the first person to build a permanent building along Nairobi Eastern Bypass which could be viewed from thika road. Kamakis, the owner, leased part of that building and land that touched the Nairobi Nairobi Eastern Bypass to a businessman who setup an eatery by the name ‘Kamakis Butchery and Restaurant’. The eatery became a popular joint for nyama choma, grilled meat, which is a popular delicacy for Kenyans.
As the demand for Nyama Choma experience at Kamakis Butchery and Restaurant grew, other eateries selling the same concept started setting up shop next to ‘Kamakis butchery and restaurant’ and along the Nairobi Eastern Bypass. The Kamakis’ nyama choma experience became a must have for people living in and around Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. The word ‘Bypass’ became synonymous with Kamakis as this weekend getaway nyama choma experience became a routine for Nairobi metropolitan residents.
Land agents and property companies started pitching to the people coming to Kamakis nyama choma joints to buy land and plots within the Kamakis neighbourhood. This presented a good opportunity to the patrons who were majorly middle class population drawn from corporate world and Small and Medium Enterprises sector, to set up their residential homes. The plots and land business started booming as the area was well connected to the Nairobi CBD via Thika Superhighway and to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The new plot owners started constructing their residential homes. An opportunity to set up construction related businesses emerged. Thus, construction materials yards, hardwares, roofing companies and petrol stations were setup in Kamakis area. A well planned middle class neighbourhood emerged in Kamakis area. This birthed an opportunity for leading supermarket brands like Naivas and Quickmart to set up shop at Kamakis. Leading health care providers such as Aga Khan, Ruai Family Hospital, Avenue Hospital, Equity Afia also established branches in Kamakis area.
The now booming economic environment within Kamakis middle class neighborhood sparked the demand for financial services. Leading banks such as NCBA, COOPERATIVE BANK, EQUITY, DTB AND KCB established their Kamakis’ branches. Middle class popular food outlets saw an opportunity to serve the Kamakis neighborhood and set up shop at Kamakis. We now have Kfc, Galitos, Greenspot Gardens, 1.7, Artcaffee and many others in the area.
Education being a basic service for any residential neighborhood was required at Kamakis. Education service providers like Viola Quality, Royal Brain, De Paul Austin, Sayari School, Lake Wood Vantage, Neema Oasis, Wisdom Tower And Lelani established high standards centres of learning at Kamakis area. Kamakis area is now a vibrant cosmopolitan area.
Kamakis neighbourhood has witnessed major growth and redevelopment. We now have Kamakis town stretching from Thika Road Exit 11 to the popular Kamakis Corner Stage. The face of Kamakis as an area dotted with Nyama choma joints has changed due to the high demand for high quality commercial spaces required by a middle class neighbourhood. This has led to redevelopment of plots touching the recently dualled Nairobi Eastern Bypass. High rise commercial and residential buildings, leading brand petrol stations and state of the art entertainment joints are now the new face of Kamakis Town.
Due close proximity of Kamakis area to Nairobi CBD and the growing demand for residential space for people working and doing business around Kamakis area, the area is now a hub for high density apartments. Thus, the plots within the range of one km from tarmac are designated as high density commercial and residential locations.
On the other hand, Kamakis area has high class controlled residential estates with established regulations on type and use of residential space. Notable controlled residential estates in Kamakis area include Varsity ville, Fourth avenue, Greenvalley, Silicon valley, Vision Valley, Tivarton Estate, Golden valley Estate.
History of land and plots in Kamakis area
Kamakis is in Ruiru within Kiambu County. It is approximately 24 kilometres drive from Nairobi CBD via Thika superhighway and 33 kilometres from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport via Nairobi Eastern Bypass. Kamakis is in Gatongora Ward within Ruiru constituency. As per the approved survey maps, Kamakis area lies within Ruiru/Ruiru East Block 1, Ruiru Kiu block 2(Githunguri) and part of former Sukari Ranch(Varsity Ville estate).
On land administration matters Kamakis is served by Ruiru Land Registry and Ruiru Survey office. The said offices are located in Ruiru town which is just 3kms from Kamakis. Originally, the land within Kamakis area belonged to shareholders of Githunguri constituency Ranching company limited. Each Shareholder was allotted a parcel of land measuring 0.5Ha equivalent to One and quarter acre. These formed the original subdivisions of land within Kamakis area as shown on the main survey maps available at Thika Regional Survey office. Mostly the one and quarter acre original parcel yields ten, twelve and fourteen plots measuring 0.04Ha, 0.035Ha and 0.028Ha respectively. The land and plots within Kamakis area have a freehold title ownership. The plots are within ruiru municipality and attract Land rates payable annually at Ruiru Sub county office. The plots within Kamakis area attract Stamp Duty Tax at a rate of 4% of the land value. Valuation of land for stamp duty payment is done by the government valuer based at Ruiru Land Registry.
The land and plots within Kamakis area have a flat topography and mostly have black cotton soil. However, there are some parcels with murram soil. The depth of the black cotton soil that requires excavation during site preparation average two and half to three feet. After excavation, the back filling materials are readily available within the area. The landscaping businesses are available along Nairobi Eastern Bypass tarmac offering high quality Landscaping services to homes and business premises.
AMENITIES AVAILABLE WITHIN KAMAKIS AREA
Water and Sewerage
Kamakis area is water sufficient. The area is served by piped water from Ruiru Juja Water and Sewerage Company and also private boreholes connections. The Ruiru Juja water and sewerage company is located in ruiru town and can advise on water and sewerage connection costs and requirements. Most of the area has fresh water connection whereas other areas are served by borehole water connections. The upper parts of Kamakis area are connected to the main sewer line whose network is being expand continually as demand expands. For those areas where sewerage connection is not available, the drainage is via sinking a septic tank or implementing a bio digester system.
Road and Electricity Network
Kamakis is well connected to the Nairobi Metropolitan area. Heading to Nairobi CBD you can take the shortest route to town via Thika Superhighway. Kamakis is also connected to Jomo Kenyatta international Airport via Nairobi Eastern Bypass. All other roads within the neighbourhood are well maintained murram roads which makes accessibility easy. Plans are underway to upgrade major roads within Kamakis area to bitumen standard.
Kamakis is close to Kenya power and lighting substation and Ruiru customer service office where electricity matters are attended. Most of the areas within Kamakis neighborhood are connected to the Main Grid. The area receives quality sunlight which has made majority of homes and businesses to transit to solar energy. The current trend has made many homes and businesses to only use power from National grid as a backup. The county government of Kiambu is also tapping into solar by erecting solar street lights within the estates.
Security
Kamakis area prides itself as being host to Gatongora police station and is also close to Ruiru police division headquarter. The area is also served by several police posts such as Mutonya police post,Kwihota police post among others. Due to its vast area and a rapidly growing population, Kamakis area is earmarked for subdivision into several administrative units whose intention is to bring security and other services closer to the people. At estate level residents outsource private security services companies to man homes and neighbourhoods.
What you need to consider when buying land and plots in Kamakis area?
What is the purpose of the land or plot you intend to buy? Is it for residential or commercial use?
How far is the land or plot located relative to the Nairobi Eastern Bypass?
What size of the land or plot do you need to achieve your purpose?
What is your budget for acquisition for your desired plot or land?
What is your preferred type of soil (murram/black cotton soil)?
After deciding to settle in Kamakis area whether for commercial or residential purpose, we recommend that you personally visit the area or send your trusted personal representative to confirm that all your key considerations are met.
It is now time to start the due diligence process for the land or plot that you have chosen. The due diligence on the said land or plot should also include a meticulous search on the land owners’ details. Also the history of the said land since allotment from the shareholder of the original parcel from Githunguri constituency ranching company limited.
We highly recommend that you engage Atimz investments to undertake due diligence before purchasing your desired plot or land. Atimz investments can also recommend to you trusted legal advocates, valuers and surveyors who are conversant with land matters in Kamakis area.
written by Timothy
Managing Director
