The Kenya Power Pension Fund (KPPF) is a fund for permanent and pensionable employees of Kenya Power, Kenya Electricity Transmission Co. Ltd, and Nuclear Power and Energy Agency. It pays cash benefits to contributors upon retirement, and where applicable, to the dependents of deceased members.
As part of its investment strategy, the Fund has been engaged in property development mainly targeting upmarket areas. Past developments include Bogani Park, Loresho Ridge and Runda Park.
Kirichwa Place is the latest investment by the Fund. Sitting on 1.66 acres on Kirichwa Road, off Ngong Road in Nairobi, the development consists of 288 apartments of 2 and 3-bedroom configuration.
- 3-bedroom with DSQ and plinth area of 163 square metres – 96 units
- 2-bedroom with DSQ and plinth area of 122 square metres – 64 units
- 2-bedroom with plinth area of 109 square metres – 128 units
Mutiso Menezes international (MMI) picked as Architects
The client (KPPF) wished to fill a niche and a deficit in the housing market that is evident in Nairobi. Additionally, the Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Master plan (NIUPLAN) advocates for further densification along Ngong Road, as well as encouraging mixed use and compact development within residential areas such as Kilimani.
Cognizant of these two key factors, MMI embarked on employing a multidisciplinary approach to create a project that is contextual, within the tenets of functionality in design, as well as within the threshold of cost vis-à-vis the return on Investment.
With an impressive portfolio of projects in its sleeve, MMI passed the client’s test to deliver. The 49-year-old architectural consultancy has successfully executed numerous projects across various building types ranging from Commercial, Office, Institutional, Residential, Hotels, Hospitals and Civic. Notable projects handled in the past include
- Kenya National Assembly Towers
- Crystal Rivers Mall
- College Of Insurance Leadership Centre
- KCAA Headquarters
- US Embassy Gigiri
- The Nairobi Hospital/UN- Covid-19 Centre
Other services offered by the consultancy include:
- National and regional planning
- Rural and urban planning and development
- Land use planning
- Sectoral planning
- Environmental Impact assessment studies
- Site selection
- Feasibility and pre-investment studies
- Preparation for master development plans
- Project definition, appraisal and evaluation
Kirichwa Place Architectural Features
Architecture has a core mandate to deliver among other things, comfort and space. Comfort in this context is in terms of light, temperature, glare and humidity, all which MMI has optimally designed for. For instance, the balconies, other than serving the functional purpose, have been designed as sun shading element.
The spatial design and configuration of these apartment typologies exhibits unmatched superiority of both size and interrelationships.
The living spaces have been crafted with a focus on comfort and family well-being.
Green considerations
Modern design requires that architects incorporate relevant sustainability elements. MMI was alive to this principle and therefore included the following aspects in their design of Kirichwa Place:
- Energy efficiency through use of North-South facing solar water heating panels.
- Naturally lit and ventilated spaces
- LED Smart lighting fittings
- Landscaped areas
What is a typical unit like?
The architects have created spacious lounge, kitchen and dining areas, a breakfast counter and large windows for natural lighting. The units feature balconies that create an ambient indoor/outdoor link. Depending on the configuration, some units have domestic staff quarters. All the residences feature exquisite finishes.
Common Facilities
These include: a standby generator, CCTV, perimeter wall, two high speed elevators per block (8 in total), a restaurant and a swimming pool. Others are a gym and children’s play area. There is a common roof terrace and ample parking.
Access to the development
The development is accessed from Kirichwa Road. It is 500 meters from the Kirichwa Road-Argwings Kodhek Junction and 250 meters from Kirichwa Road-Ngong Road junction.
Construction timelines
Ground breaking took place on 15th July 2021 and the project is expected to be handed over on 11th March 2024, all factors remaining constant.
Challenges faced by Project Team and how they were resolved
According to MMI, the site accommodates a Nairobi City Water and Sewerage sewer line that at one time was clogged up, therefore resulting in flooding. This caused a temporary closure of the site. To solve this problem, the client, with the advice of the lead consultant is exploring the option of doing a new sewer line. This will be a good addition to the existing County sewer infrastructure since it will be available for use by other developers.
Pricing and buyer options
2-bedroom apartment
Cash Purchase (Full Payment): KSH. 12,500,000,
Installment Purchase: KSH. 13,500,000
Mortgage Purchase (Individually sourced): KSH. 14,500,000
2-bedroom apartment with DSQ
Cash purchase (Full payment): KSH. 13,500,000
Installment Purchase: KSH. 15,500,000
Mortgage Purchase (Individually sourced): KSH. 16,500,000
3-bedroom apartment
Cash Purchase (Full Payment): KSH. 16,500,000,
Installment Purchase: KSH. 17,900,000
Mortgage Purchase (Individually sourced): KSH. 18,900,000
