Details Of 'Strip Mall' In Mukuru Affordable Homes Launched By Ruto

"This is one of the most consequential days of my political career. Today, I can hand over keys to citizens of our nation, people who would otherwise have never had a chance in life. But today they have the keys not just to open doors but to open a home into dignity, and we are making a difference in the lives of Kenyans," he said.

"This is the first batch. In August or September, we will come to hand over another 5,000 units. We will come back again in the new year and hand over another 5,000, and that will be the trend until we give 13,000 houses to Kenyans."

President William Ruto addressing residents during the handover ceremony of 1,080 completed housing units at the Mukuru Meteorological Site in Nairobi County on May 20, 2025. /PCS

The Mukuru Housing project is among several developments happening nationwide, with a total of 13,248 housing units planned upon completion. 

To support the large number of future residents, the project includes a 5-million-litre underground water tank to guarantee consistent water access. Additionally, it features elevated storage tanks with a capacity of 210,000 litres.

The development also comes equipped with key amenities such as a fire station, a daycare centre, a health clinic, a strip mall, and designated waste disposal areas. For this article, we focus on the strip mall.

What Is A Strip Mall?

A strip mall—also called a shopping strip or plaza—is a type of retail development that features a row of stores or commercial units lined up side by side, typically sharing a parking lot in front.

These malls are usually low-rise, single-story buildings with multiple tenants like grocery stores, salons, fast food joints, pharmacies, banks, and mobile service providers.

They are designed for convenience, often serving neighbourhoods or suburbs where people want quick, easy access to everyday essentials without the hassle of a large shopping mall.

In Kenya, strip malls have grown in popularity over the past decade, especially in urban and peri-urban areas like Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa, and Nakuru. Their rise is driven by a booming middle class, increasing urban sprawl, and a shift in consumer habits toward convenience shopping.

Concept art of a strip mall in Lavington, Nairobi, Kenya. /BEHANCE

Unlike the mega malls that attract weekend crowds, strip malls serve a more local, daily need, targeting residents within a 5-10 minute radius. You will find them along busy roads, near gated communities, or even on the edge of highways, making them a go-to for quick errands, takeaways, or services like laundromats and ATMs.

Their significance goes beyond just shopping. Strip malls in Kenya represent a shift in real estate development towards mixed-use, decentralised retail ecosystems. They are also creating jobs and offering more accessible business spaces for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which dominate Kenya’s economy.

For developers and investors, they are low-risk, high-demand assets—less expensive to build and easier to fill with tenants compared to full-scale malls. 

"The Mukuru Meteorological project is the largest single-site housing intervention in Kenya’s history. Its scale, its integrated design, and its focus on transforming informal settlements make it a landmark in public housing delivery. Residents will not only access housing, but a full ecosystem of social infrastructure," Ruto expressed.

"So far, it has injected Ksh11 billion directly into construction and neighbourhood development. For every shilling invested, an additional Ksh2.50 is generated through supporting businesses, meaning nearly Ksh28 billion has already been infused into the economy through this single initiative."

"The Boma Yangu platform is our gateway to equitable homeownership. It is transparent, inclusive, and easy to use. Over 4,000 homes are already up for purchase. Whether you earn less than Ksh20,000 or over Ksh150,000, there’s a pathway for you," he added.

"I urge every Kenyan to register today at www.bomayangu.go.ke or dial *832#. Let us democratise homeownership and make this dream a reality for all."

President William Ruto during the commissioning of the Mukuru Phase I Affordable Housing. /PCS