Kenya Interviews

List of all articles filed under “kenya-interviews” category.

Affordable Housing in Kenya: How Unity Homes Is Setting New Quality Standards Transforming Tatu City and Beyond

July 24, 2025

The interview with Jason Horsey, Executive Director of Unity Homes, offers a comprehensive overview of one of the leading residential real estate developers in Kenya. Founded in 2015, Unity Homes has established itself as a major player in affordable housing in Kenya, with a strong footprint in Tatu City and expansion into Nigeria through its sister brand, Universal Homes Nigeria.

Initially known for building affordable homes priced between KES 5 to 10 million, Unity Homes is now diversifying into premium real estate, such as the Silverhill project, inspired by London townhouses. With over 2,000 completed homes and 1,500 under construction, their developments include Unity West, Unity East, Unity One, and Unity Parkside, located in the master-planned Tatu City real estate zone. Projects like Unity West apartments and Unity East housing offer two- and three-bedroom options with world-class amenities such as parks, gyms, pools, and community spaces.

The company’s hallmark is its vertically integrated model. Unlike other real estate developers in Kenya who outsource key functions, Unity Homes has internalized architecture, engineering, and construction, allowing it to deliver high-quality homes with over 2,000 quality checks per apartment. The use of international HSE standards, implemented by a former Halliburton expert, sets them apart in real estate development in Nairobi and across East Africa.

A notable focus is Unity Homes’ commitment to serving the Kenyan diaspora real estate market. With 60% of local sales and up to 80% of Nigerian sales coming from diaspora investors, the company offers secure, trust-driven investment options for those seeking safe real estate investments in Kenya. Through partnerships with Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC), Unity is also promoting subsidized mortgage products for affordable housing buyers, particularly in projects like Unity One.

Unity’s strategic vision includes scaling up through large-scale, integrated estates that support live-work-play real estate development models. Future plans include developing 3,000 to 5,000 homes in real estate development in Unity West and coastal areas, supported by clean land titles as found in Tatu City and Nigeria’s Lekki Free Trade Zone, where Universal Homes Nigeria is delivering 576 apartments aimed at investors.

From buying off-plan apartments in Kenya to securing real estate investment opportunities in Nairobi, Unity Homes continues to raise the bar in high-quality homes with excellent rental yields and strong capital appreciation — a compelling option for both homeowners and investors. With amenities that foster safe, family-friendly living environments and the backing of community initiatives like the “Our Community Foundation,” the company creates not just houses but vibrant ecosystems.

How Ariya Finergy Is Powering Africa’s Industry with Stable, Clean Energy Solutions

July 21, 2025

This interview with Jenny Fletcher, CEO of Ariya Finergy, offers a comprehensive look into the company’s mission and operations across East Africa. Founded in 2016, Ariya Finergy provides clean, renewable energy solutions, including solar installations, battery storage, and power stabilization systems tailored for commercial and industrial clients.

With over 65 systems built, the company has deployed 24 MWp of solar and 15 MWh of battery storage, making it a regional leader in power reliability. The firm differentiates itself by offering a proprietary energy management system that integrates solar, grid, batteries, and generators for uninterrupted power—a crucial asset in markets with unstable electricity like Uganda and Tanzania.

Their clients, such as Gentex, have experienced up to 30% increases in productivity and near-zero reliance on generators, even during 13-hour power outages. The company is eyeing expansion into Zambia, Zimbabwe, DRC, Somalia, and beyond, but faces challenges such as access to capital and the need for market education.

The interview highlights Ariya’s vision of transforming Africa’s industrial power landscape by enabling stable energy for production and operational efficiency.

Kenneth Mbae on How Centum Real Estate is Transforming East Africa with Smart, Green Cities

July 20, 2025

The interview with Kenneth Mbae, Managing Director of Centum Real Estate, provides an in-depth look at how the company is shaping the future of real estate in East Africa through innovative, large-scale, mixed-use developments. With over 57 years of experience in the sector, Centum has positioned itself as a leading real estate developer in Kenya, Uganda, and across the region, committed to delivering sustainable, lifestyle-oriented housing and commercial infrastructure.

Centum Real Estate focuses on building model cities that integrate residential homes, commercial spaces, industrial hubs, and green infrastructure. Their developments are anchored in areas experiencing rapid urban growth, guided by demographic and infrastructural data. A hallmark of their strategy is the creation of affordable luxury homes and IFC Edge-certified green buildings that reduce energy and water consumption, lowering the total cost of homeownership.

From flagship projects like Two Rivers Mall in Nairobi, the region’s largest shopping mall, to Ping’o City at the coast and Balmarina Resort City on the shores of Lake Victoria, Centum is redefining urban living. These sustainable real estate developments feature townhouses, apartments, bungalows, and high-rise residential buildings, alongside offices, retail malls, and industrial parks.

Centum’s housing portfolio caters to three main segments:

Affordable homes (USD 20,000–100,000), including projects like Mzizi, Cascadia, and Roft,

Mid-market homes (USD 100,000–200,000),

High-end housing (above USD 200,000) in prime locations across Nairobi, Vipingo, and Uganda.

The company also offers serviced plots within master-planned communities, appealing to real estate investors in East Africa who want flexibility with infrastructure-ready land.

A major competitive advantage for Centum is its ability to combine cost-effective construction with bankable, high-quality products in strategic urban locations. Through financial partnerships, the company facilitates access to mortgage financing, supports off-plan buyers, and reduces project cycles using modern construction technologies.

Looking ahead, Centum Real Estate plans to expand into other African markets, including Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia, in response to a growing regional housing deficit. With an annual shortfall of over 200,000 units in Kenya alone, Centum is uniquely positioned to deliver investment-ready, scalable housing solutions.

Kenneth Mbae emphasizes the importance of green, sustainable urban developments and calls on real estate investors to seize the vast untapped opportunities in the region. With high rental yields in Nairobi, rising demand, and strong fundamentals, East Africa offers one of the most attractive real estate landscapes globally.

Inside Hipora’s Retail Audit Revolution: Real-Time Data, Logistics Support, and Regional Growth

July 20, 2025

In this exclusive interview with Marcopolis, John Wanjohi, CEO of Hipora Business Solutions, outlines the company’s transformation and regional expansion since 2022. Operating as a leading inventory management company in East Africa, Hipora has successfully penetrated new markets including Zambia and Rwanda, with operations already established in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Despite political fluctuations in Kenya, the company has experienced stable growth in Uganda and Tanzania, and anticipates 20% year-on-year growth as it continues to address critical gaps in inventory visibility, loss prevention, and retail audits. Hipora’s flagship technology, Hiplapia, is a customized retail audit and inventory management system that captures real-time data, detects policy non-compliance, and enhances inventory control for retail and FMCG sectors.

To combat inventory loss in transit—a major issue in FMCG distribution—Hipora deploys stock distribution officers who monitor and report every movement of goods, ensuring full supply chain transparency. This human-resource-based inventory solution sets Hipora apart from competitors and supports its logistics and warehousing services, which include dispatch verification, inventory checks, and loss accountability.

The company’s latest ventures include the rollout of full-service warehousing in Kenya, offering clients end-to-end responsibility for inventory. Hipora also supports SMEs through SOP audits and business process restructuring, providing customized stocktaking services on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. These efforts have helped build a loyal client base across retail, manufacturing, and distribution sectors.

Investing heavily in workforce development, Hipora has launched the HiPora Academy, a training institution focused on soft skills, ethical decision-making, and inventory management. With over 900 employees across four countries, the company is also committed to youth empowerment, onboarding 20 to 30 young professionals every quarter, especially from disadvantaged communities.

Looking ahead, Wanjohi envisions expansion into Ethiopia, Mozambique, and potentially Malawi and Botswana, positioning Hipora as a regional leader in retail audits, inventory control, and warehousing solutions in Africa. The company aims to partner with compliance bodies and attract investors to scale its impact and technological capabilities.

IXAfrica: Building East Africa’s First AI-Ready, Hyperscaler Data Centre in Kenya

July 18, 2025

In this exclusive interview, Mr. Snehar Shah, CEO of IXAfrica, outlines the company’s leadership role as East Africa’s largest AI-ready and hyperscaler-ready data centre, based in Nairobi, Kenya. IXAfrica operates NBOX1, a carrier-neutral facility strategically located near Nairobi’s airport, and is developing NBOX1.2 and NBOX2, which together will expand their data centre capacity to over 75 megawatts.

The NBOX1 facility currently hosts over 20 network providers and two major internet exchanges—the Kenya Internet Exchange and the London Internet Exchange (LINX). With its high-density GPU hosting capabilities, including support for racks requiring up to 50 kilowatts, IXAfrica is the only data centre in Kenya engineered to support AI workloads, positioning itself as a regional digital infrastructure leader.

Through a strategic partnership with Safaricom, East Africa’s leading telecom operator, IXAfrica is jointly targeting enterprise clients and cloud providers. The company is also engaged in advanced discussions with hyperscalers, such as Oracle—which has announced plans to establish a sovereign cloud in Kenya—and Microsoft, which is investing $1 billion into a regional cloud zone in the country.

As a sustainable data centre, IXAfrica leverages Kenya’s 93% renewable energy mix, including geothermal energy from Olkaria. With upcoming power wheeling legislation, the company aims to source green energy directly, enhancing its ESG compliance and lowering operational costs. It is also EcoVadis-certified, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable data infrastructure.

On the talent front, IXAfrica is addressing the data centre skills gap in Africa through partnerships with organisations like Nomad Futurists and local initiatives that train university interns in cloud engineering and data centre operations. This initiative aligns with their long-term vision to build a scalable African talent pipeline for the global digital economy.

The company is also at the forefront of AI policy discussions, contributing to regulatory frameworks on data sovereignty, digital policy, and AI governance in collaboration with the Kenyan government and the United Nations AI board.

Looking ahead, IXAfrica plans to scale its infrastructure, onboard AI companies, expand its cloud services, and strengthen its position as the go-to data centre in East and Central Africa. With backing from Helios Investment Partners, IXAfrica is not only investing in Kenya but also exploring broader expansion in Tier 1 African markets, including Egypt, Nigeria, and Morocco.

Kibo Africa’s Expansion Plan: Durable Motorcycles, Local Manufacturing, and Electric Innovation

July 23, 2025

In this interview, Peter Schokker shares his vision and strategic direction for Kibo Africa, a motorcycle manufacturer based in Kenya. He emphasizes quality, customer focus, rugged utility bikes built for African terrain, and growing partnerships to enhance customer value. Kibo has expanded its dealer and service network across Kenya and East Africa and is collaborating with financing partners to make its motorcycles more accessible to SMEs and Boda-Boda riders.

A key part of Kibo’s roadmap includes the phased introduction of electric motorcycles, with a strong focus on preserving the brand’s values of reliability, endurance, and suitability for difficult terrain. Schokker also outlines regional expansion plans, including Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, DRC, and Ghana. Efforts are underway to strengthen local manufacturing, improve operational efficiency, and develop new service models to enhance customer experience.

Kibo’s motorcycles are used for a variety of purposes: by government agencies, SMEs, adventure riders, farmers, and logistics companies. The interview concludes with Schokker’s personal motivation—building a business that empowers people economically and working as a team to create impact.

How Kingsway Tyres Is Tackling Cheap Imports and Leading Kenya’s Tyre Recycling Revolution

July 23, 2025

In this in-depth interview, Manish Shah, Chairman of Kingsway Tyres, discusses how the company is adapting its market leadership strategy in Kenya’s rapidly evolving and highly price-sensitive tyre market. Amid increasing pressure from low-cost Chinese tyre imports and global trade shifts, Kingsway has pivoted from a purely product-focused business model to a service-oriented approach, prioritizing tyre safety, driver security, and customer experience.

To stay ahead in the Kenya tyre industry, Kingsway has taken proactive steps in tyre recycling. The company pioneered green tyre disposal in Kenya, establishing a plant that converts used tyres into oil for industrial furnaces. With a second recycling facility opening in Eldorado, Kingsway strengthens its position as a leader in sustainable tyre solutions in East Africa.

Beyond the automotive sector, the Kingsway Group is expanding into real estate development near diplomatic zones in Nairobi, especially in response to the expected influx of staff to the UN headquarters and foreign embassies. They are also active in Kenya’s hospitality sector, investing in Masai Mara eco-camps, Mount Kenya resorts, and coastal hotels, along with launching restaurant brands in Nairobi to support their hospitality and tourism strategy.

Shah also highlights the group’s commitment to developing infrastructure for foreign direct investment (FDI) within Kenya’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The SEZ projects include logistics centres, manufacturing hubs, and facilities to support international companies entering the East and Central African markets. These developments offer attractive features such as 10-year tax incentives, currency flexibility, and access to regional markets of over 500 million people.

The SEZ initiative is also fostering ICT sector growth in Kenya, particularly in call centre development, postgraduate education in computing, and the export of tech talent across Africa and the Middle East. Kingsway’s long-standing track record in commercial real estate development in Kenya, including industrial buildings, shopping malls, and hotels, provides a strong foundation for these efforts.

Manish Shah ends with a clear message to international investors: Kenya offers political stability, economic resilience, and a unique gateway to scale across sub-Saharan Africa, making it an ideal base for regional logistics, manufacturing, and ICT operations.

Transforming Healthcare Access in Kenya: How Checkups Cova Is Making Healthcare Affordable Across Kenya Through AI and Microloans

July 21, 2025

This in-depth interview with Renee Ngamau, Co-Founder and President, and Dr. Moka Lantum, Co-Founder and CEO of Checkups Cova, explores how the company is disrupting the Kenyan healthcare sector through an innovative hybrid healthcare delivery model that combines telemedicine, mobile clinics, and AI-driven healthcare financing.

Checkups Cova has successfully pivoted from a direct-to-consumer model to a strategic enterprise partnership approach, especially with banks and microfinance institutions. Their core innovation lies in providing medical credit solutions that enable patients to access healthcare without upfront payment, targeting the uninsured and underinsured populations in Kenya and across East Africa.

A major highlight of the conversation is the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare to accelerate microloan approvals, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce healthcare delivery costs. The team emphasizes their mission to improve healthcare accessibility in remote areas, such as Turkana, and cites coverage in 23 Kenyan counties, including Nairobi, Kiambu, Meru, Nyeri, and Mombasa, among others.

Renee explains how their home-based care model helps reduce outpatient waiting times, cut costs, and offer healthcare at the workplace or at the patient’s home. This model is inclusive—serving everyone from diaspora families arranging care for loved ones, to small-scale traders and farmers who can’t afford to leave work.

On the financing side, Dr. Lantum compares traditional bank models with telecom competitors like Safaricom, noting the urgency for banks to adopt more agile, digitally enabled health finance models before telecom-led microfinance systems dominate the space.

The company’s technology roadmap includes building AI-enabled backend platforms, supporting cross-border payments, and scaling operations via smart contracts and franchise-like partnerships in new markets, including South Sudan.

The interview also highlights ongoing fundraising efforts, a strategic partnership with a coastal Kenyan county for chronic disease management, and their broader push for public-private partnerships in healthcare under the Social Health Insurance Fund.

Konza Technopolis: Kenya’s Smart City Leading the African Silicon Savannah

July 19, 2025

In this exclusive interview with John Paul Okwiri, CEO of Konza Technopolis, Kenya’s ambitious smart city project, we explore the transformative role Konza is playing in advancing Kenya’s digital economy and achieving Vision 2030. Dubbed the African Silicon Savannah, Konza is positioned as a leading innovation ecosystem and Special Economic Zone, designed to attract global investors in ICT-enabled services, life sciences, engineering, and digital infrastructure.

Konza has successfully completed Phase One infrastructure, including clean water systems, high-speed internet, energy distribution, stormwater drainage, and the establishment of a Tier III Uptime Certified National Data Center. With more than 100 out of 147 land parcels allocated, the city now offers a plug-and-play environment for investors looking to enter the African tech investment space.

Key anchors such as the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) are in place, supporting research and development (R&D) in STEM fields and strengthening ties between academia, industry, and government. Additionally, Konza’s model includes zones for light industry, device assembly, textiles, and biopharma, with future phases set to include Digital Media City and expanded public-private partnerships (PPP).

CEO John Paul Okwiri addresses common misconceptions about delays, reaffirming that Konza Technopolis is ready for investment and progressing on par with global smart cities like Cyberjaya in Malaysia. The government-backed initiative offers a range of physical and non-physical investment incentives, including tax reliefs, making it an attractive destination for those interested in tech hubs in Africa, smart city development, and long-term infrastructure projects in Kenya.

Konza is not just a project—it’s the foundation of Kenya’s Fourth Industrial Revolution, poised to create over 17,000 jobs, drive sustainable urban development, and serve as a model for digital transformation in Africa.

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