Why Super Wealthy Prefer Kenya As First Choice For Buying New Homes
For the third year in a row, the East African country was preferred by HNWIs as a top destination for buying first-choice homes at a dominant 66 per cent.
Marvin Chege 
High Net-Worth Individuals (HNWI) around the world want Kenya to be their first choice in terms of purchasing new homes. This is according to the 2025 Wealth Report by real estate firm Knight Frank.
For the third year in a row, the East African country was preferred by HNWIs as a top destination for buying first-choice homes at a dominant 66 per cent. This is more than developed countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) with 11 per cent each.
"Kenya remains the primary choice for HNWIs purchasing homes, with 66% selecting it as their first option," the report reads in part.
However, this is not the case for those opting for homes as a secondary option, with the United States (US) topping at 29.4 percent and the UK following at 24 percent. South Africa at 18 percent was the only top African country where the HNWIs preferred homes as a second choice.
Mark Dunford, CEO of Knight Frank Kenya, speaking during the release of the 2025 Wealth Report on May 13, 2025. /KNIGHT FRANK
For the third choice, the UK and the US topped at 21 per cent each, followed by Kenya at 14 per cent. According to Knight Frank, these findings align with last year’s trends, where Kenya was also the top priority for home purchases at 33 per cent, followed by the UK at 25 per cent.
"Kenya’s dominant preference reflects strong domestic confidence, fuelled by long-term economic stability, a growing real estate sector, and national pride. HNWIs often view property investments within the country as both a wealth-building strategy and a contribution to local economic development," added the report.
Knight Frank warned that despite the strong inclination towards Kenya, many affluent investors seek international real estate opportunities to diversify their assets.
For instance, the US emerges as the most favoured secondary destination, offering a mature property market, strong legal protections, and stability, making it an attractive hedge against local market fluctuations.
The United Kingdom remains a preferred market for Kenyan HNWIs due to its historical ties, legal transparency, and perceived stability. "Many investors see UK real estate as a secure, long-term asset, particularly in prime locations like London," adds the report.
The Wealth Report for this year is based on responses provided during January 2025 by private bankers, wealth advisors, intermediaries and family offices who, between them, manage wealth for the Ultra-High Net-Worth Individuals (UHNWI) clients.
A significant majority (56 per cent) of the respondents identified investment as the primary motivation for their clients’ future home purchases.
"This underscores a strategic shift among High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs), who increasingly view residential real estate as both a lifestyle asset and a reliable investment vehicle," adds the report.
"Other key drivers include education, lifestyle, and job relocation, while political safe haven and tax considerations ranked lowest as motivations."
