We are approaching Christmas right? Despite our religious affiliations, birth of a child is cause for celebration. Our child in this case is Nyota Njema Real Estate Limited. She is celebrating her fifth anniversary and we cannot help but share her birth story with you.
‘Arise, Go forth and conquer!’ The command in this statement is literally behind the birth of Nyota Njema Real Estate. Meet Perminus Kariuki , Founder and CEO Nyota Njema Real Estate. “The idea of starting this company came from a spiritual conviction. In a dream one night, I received a message to go forth and start my own real estate company and name it Good Star Holdings,” says Perminus. This conviction came at a time when his career was soaring. He rose to a team leader and then general manager at his previous sales job in a relatively short time, specifically before he graduated from campus, a source mentioned. Fueled by courage, prayer and meditation he contacted his lawyer to register his company, ‘Good Star Holdings’. After due process, it was discovered that the name was already taken and there and right then he knew that his company would be ‘Nyota Njema Holdings’. After tendering his resignation and with the blessings of his mentor and boss, Perminus left to run his own business.
The entrepreneurial journey of Perminus Kariuki can be traced back to his highschool days where in collaboration with the school librarian he borrowed his camera, became the school photographer and produced pictures for the entire school. In campus, Maseno University, he acquired laptops on credit and sold to fellow students on campus where the profits would pay for the laptops and provided upkeep for him. “During campus holidays, I refused to go back home and instead stayed in Nairobi as a highschool tutor. It was an intrinsic feeling of always going out there and make ends meet,” quoted Perminus in a short chat. The writing was well and truly on the wall that he would one day run his own business.
You may find this hard to believe but the foundations of this fine company are rooted in a heavenly conviction of ‘Arise go forth and conquer!’ “In yet another conviction while I was deep in figuring out where to start, I had a conviction of buying land in Nanyuki, subdivide it and sell.” Perminus said to much astonishment of this author. The Nanyuki project has gone on to be the biggest in Nyota Njema to this very day. “I had to trust that God will carry me through the difficulty that I was facing at the start. I had to also acknowledge the support of my lovely wife Catherine who was with me when I sounded crazy at first and despite the survival difficulties is still by my side to this day,” said Perminus.
In October 2019, he received the first title deed of Nanyuki with Nyota Njema’s name and Perminus, with the support of his wife and business partner Catherine, saw the first ray of light in his business. Everything was set for him to soar when the Covid-19 pandemic struck in March 2020. This meant that land investment dropped at the rock bottom of priorities for anybody in the world. It was time for survival. With a new business, a few staff and dwindling sales Perminus and Catherine had to adapt or go under. They took advantage of the falling performance of the shilling against the euro, to propose a 50k deposit and a 20k installment a month for 15 months. This was a financial masterstroke. Kenyans in diaspora swung into the concept deep into Covid-19 and Perminus saw his conviction turn to reality among the adversity the entire world was facing. The rest is history!
“To get to where we are, it has taken the hand of God, support of my wife and family and not to forget the many that have trusted us to serve them with land investment opportunities. We have since delivered over 1500 title deeds with more and more on the way. As we celebrate our fifth anniversary, we are happy and grateful and I would like to tell the public that we are just getting started.” Perminus remarked.
Real Estate News
Gazettement of New Municipalities/Town In April 2024, the Council of Governors in Kenya gazetted a list of urban areas and municipalities within various counties. Following this, the Office of the Principal Secretary for Lands, Public Works, and Housing issued a directive to land registrars, stating that stamp duty on land transfers within these newly gazetted areas will now be charged at 4%, in accordance with the Stamp Duty Act. This change is effective immediately. Additionally, these properties may soon be subject to land rates, depending on legislation passed by the respective County Governments. The public is advised to stay informed about any such legislation or directives to avoid penalties or fines.
2. Association of Real Estate Stakeholders (RESA) Members Certification In July 2024, the Association of Real Estate Stakeholders (RESA) in Kenya issued certificates to its members who met the required standards, ensuring they are conducting legitimate business. The certificate is valid for one year and is renewable based on an annual performance evaluation. Nyota Njema Real Estate, a leading provider of high-end real estate solutions, was honored with this certification, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted industry leader in land investment. Led by CEO Mr. Perminus Kariuki, who also serves as RESA’s spokesperson, Nyota Njema has received numerous prestigious awards, highlighting its commitment to excellence and alignment with the association’s values.
3. Dynamic growth of the Nairobi Satellite towns The Kenyan real estate market is experiencing growth, driven by rising property prices, government initiatives, the expanding middle class, and infrastructure development. Increased land values are being fueled by infrastructure projects, while a growing population ensures sustained demand. Investors are increasingly engaging in land speculation, buying land with the expectation of future price increases. Research for Q1 2024 indicates that land prices continued to rise despite economic challenges. Suburban land saw a 5% price increase, while satellite towns experienced a more significant rise of 11.2%. Towns like Kitengela, Kiserian, Limuru, and Ongata Rongai led this price growth, with some satellite towns now offering higher returns than government securities. On average, satellite towns have seen over 10% annual growth, with 9 out of 14 towns posting double-digit gains, the highest reaching 16%. With interest rates expected to decrease, land is becoming an increasingly attractive asset.
Real Estate Trends to Expect in 2025 Continued Demand for Land: Strong demand in Nairobi’s suburbs and satellite towns due to new developments, infrastructure projects, and growing middle class seeking affordable housing. High Returns on Land Investments: Areas like Syokimau, Limuru, and Mlolongo showing annual price growth of 18-18.5%, offering returns competitive with government bonds and NSE shares. Infrastructure Development: Ongoing projects like the Nairobi Expressway and new town masterplans (e.g., Thika) will drive land prices higher by improving accessibility and attracting more development. Economic Resilience: Despite economic challenges, land prices have remained stable, suggesting land will continue to be a reliable asset class in 2025. Dynamic Market Outlook: Land prices in Nairobi and surrounding satellite towns are expected to keep rising, driven by demand, infrastructure development, rural-to-urban migration, and strong investment returns.
A Heartfelt Thank You
As we celebrate five incredible years in business, we at Nyota Njema Real Estate would like to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to every one of you. This journey would not have been possible without your unwavering trust, loyalty, and support. To all our clients based here in Kenya, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, France, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, we are honored to have you as part of the Nyota Njema family.
A Journey of Growth, Driven by You When we first embarked on this journey, our mission was to offer customized real estate investment solutions through exceptional customer experience. Today, as we look back, we realize that we have achieved so much more, thanks to your belief in us. Your confidence has driven us to constantly improve, innovate, and adapt, to not only meet but exceed your expectations. Your commitment has fueled our growth, allowing us to expand our offerings and refine our services. From beautiful residential properties to high-return investment opportunities, each step we’ve taken has been possible because of the foundation of trust you have built with us.
Your Referrals Mean the World to Us We are very grateful to those of you who have taken an extra step to refer us to your friends, family, and colleagues. Every recommendation not only strengthens our business but also reaffirms the trust you’ve placed in us. It’s a remarkable gesture that inspires us to do better every day.
Celebrating Five Years of Success, Together As we mark this five-year milestone, we look forward to many more years of continued growth, with you by our side. We are committed to bringing you even more exciting opportunities and to building a future where your investments and dreams can thrive. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for choosing Nyota Njema Real Estate. Your trust and referrals are the cornerstones of our success, and we are beyond grateful to each of you for making this possible.
Nyota Njema At 5
The wordplay in the title is only symbolic in marking Nyota Njema’s fifth year of operation and what an achievement this is! Since its founding in 2019, Nyota Njema Real Estate Limited has remained dedicated to offering real estate solutions through exceptional customer experience. As we celebrate 5 years of growth, we look back with a lot of gratitude and pride as we look forward to an even brighter future
Our Journey Starting from humble beginnings, Nyota Njema Real Estate LTD came into the market with a mission to revolutionize the image of the industry by placing integrity at the core of all its operations. Backed by research and understanding of the Real Estate industry, the first project, Nanyuki was acquired and this was the birthplace of her operations. The first clients were served through the year 2020 with the first title deeds handed over in October 2020. The company has since delivered over 1500 and title deeds! From braving the Covid-19 pandemic to the harsh economic environment post-pandemic, Nyota Njema Real Estate was refreshed than ever to penetrate and thrive in the Real Estate industry. As stated in the vison and mission as well as driven by core values of Integrity, Innovation, Excellence and Customer Centric approaches Nyota Njema has risen from level to the next. Let us highlight some of these milestones and achievements.
Achievements Over 5 Years Innovation:
Nyota Njema Real Estate was the first in the real estate industry to introduce a mobile application. The Nyota Njema App, available in Playstore and Apple store, enables clients to view the products, track their land buying process in real-time, track their financial streak with real-time receipting from our accounts office. There is also an option for discounts and bonuses once existing clients refer people to us. Innovation at its best!
Growth: Not only has Nyota Njema reached out to Kenyans in the nation but also those in Diaspora. The first Diaspora tour was done in March 2021, where we dared to introduce our products to Kenyans in Europe. Countries visited were UK, France and The Netherlands. Many more countries have since been added to the list namely Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Australia with many more in the horizon. Subsequently, Diaspora tours have been held once every year. From the first project in late 2020 at Nanyuki, more areas of investment have been brought on board to boost the Nyota Njema Product Catalogue. Now clients can invest in other primes areas such as Naivasha, Diani, Naromoru, Malindi and Juja Farm.
Community Impact: From the community Nyota Njema was born and back to the community she gives. Nyota Njema Real Estate has been a part of initiatives that seek to contribute to the overall societal wellbeing. Every year, we contribute to charities as a way of spreading hope. Such initiatives include Diaper For A Smile, which focuses on acquiring necessary hygiene products for children suffering from Cerebral Palsy.
Gratitude to Our Team & Customers. Nyota Njema Real Estate under the excellent leadership of Founder and C.E.O Perminus Kariuki, has gone from step to the next. “Despite the challenges, the entire fraternity comprising of Staff Members, Customers, Directors and Partners have been supportive and part and parcel of the journey so far. They have my biggest gratitude,” says Perminus Kariuki, CEO Nyota Njema Real Estate Limited.
2024 KICC Title Handover
Nyota Njema Kicc Title Handover
KICC Title Handover 2024 Nyota Njema Real Estate marked its 5th anniversary since its registration in December 2019 with a vibrant Title Handover event on April 6th, 2024, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). During this event, 400 title deeds were presented to customers, both locally and in the diaspora, highlighting the company’s dedication to facilitating property ownership for Kenyans.
Company Growth and Achievements Expansion
Team Growth: The company has expanded significantly, growing from an initial team of 2 members to over 30 professionals. This expansion has increased its capability to manage more projects and provide enhanced services to clients. Office Relocation: Initially based in a small office in Ruiru, Nyota Njema has now moved to a more prominent and accessible location in Mountain Mall, reflecting its growth and commitment to improving client and employee experiences. Projects: Development Growth: Nyota Njema began with a single project in Nanyuki. Today, it manages seven projects across various strategic locations, demonstrating its ability to meet diverse investment needs and preferences.
Title Deeds: Milestone Achievements: Over the past five years, Nyota Njema has issued more than 1200 title deeds, underscoring its reliability and commitment to secure and legitimate property ownership for its clients. Rebranding: Enhanced Identity: In 2024, the company underwent a significant rebranding, unveiling a new logo, an updated website, and fresh merchandise. This modernization aims to make the company more appealing and recognizable. Customer Experience: The rebranding also included a revamped office outlook, providing a more welcoming and professional environment for clients, thereby enhancing the overall customer experience.
Diaspora Investment Forum
We are committed to ensuring that Kenyans living in the diaspora have easy and secure land investment opportunities. Since February 2024, Nyota Njema has been privileged to join, engage and hold different investment forums to Kenyans in Diaspora in different countries worldwide providing relevant information and opportunities pertaining to property/land investment back at home. These countries include Saudi Arabia, Europe (Netherlands, Germany, Austria, France, Italy) and the United Kingdom.
FORUM HIGHLIGHTS
Saudi Arabia In February, Nyota Njema had a privileged opportunity to hold a very successful Investment Forum in Saudi Arabia for Kenyans who were interested in understanding how to invest in real estate back home. The promise of the land investment landscape of Kenya was emphasized at this event, highlighting how high returns and security are assured in such investments for its diaspora citizens who live and work abroad.
Europe In our recent 2024 Investment Forums, we have had our Europe Tour that attracted our Kenyan diaspora communities from several cities in Europe to provide an interactive platform for networking, education and investment. Our C.E.O and Founder Mr. Perminus Kariuki was privilege to Speak at The Invest in Africa Summit Forum held at The Hague in Netherlands, emphasizing the benefits of investing in Africa, especially in Kenya and how collaborative initiatives between governments can create better real-estate prospects for Kenyans living in Europe. From Berlin, Vienna, Paris to Lyon and Milan we briefly looked into the next three years of forums across Europe. Every event followed a more custom approach, showcasing the growth of the real estate market in Kenya and how Nyota Njema Real Estate Ltd could help attendees and Kenyans across Europe to meet their investment needs. Our 2024 Europe tour, solidified our commitment to creating accessible pathways for Kenyans abroad to connect with property investment opportunities in Kenya, helping them make informed decisions before and after investing.
United Kingdom Known for it’s famous stunning castles and beautiful architectural buildings, the UK has become a home to Kenyans in Europe. Our UK-based investment forums have proven to be immensely popular with the number of Kenyan investors who came out in droves to learn more about property investment opportunities back home. Significantly, the UK is home to one of our largest customer bases with numerous Kenyans in the diaspora keen on buying land back home. The events included immersive discussions regarding the advantages of investing in property across Kenya, addressing everything from capital gains to ownership security and most importantly our United Kingdom Title Handover held in Coventry on the 14th of June 2024. Guests valued the transparency of our offerings and were excited about every part Nyota Njema Real Estate Ltd has played each step of the way: from purchasing land all the way through to property management.
Through these forums, Nyota Njema provides a robust platform for Kenyans living in the diaspora to explore, engage, and make informed investment decisions while investing back home. These engagements offer several key benefits: Exploration: Attendees have the opportunity to learn about the diverse real estate options available in Kenya, including residential properties, commercial investments, and land acquisitions. This exposure helps them understand the market dynamics and potential areas for investment. Engagement: By participating in these forums, diaspora Kenyans can interact directly with our CEO, industry experts, and fellow investors. This networking fosters a deeper understanding of investment processes, facilitates knowledge sharing, and builds a supportive community of like-minded individuals. Informed Decisions: The educational sessions and discussions provide valuable insights into the real estate market, investment strategies, and the economic landscape in Kenya. Armed with this information, participants can make well-informed decisions, ensuring their investments are aligned with their financial goals and risk tolerance.
Overall, these forums empower Kenyans in the diaspora to confidently invest in their homeland, contributing to personal financial growth and the economic development of Kenya.
