Houses and Apartments for Rent in South B and South C

Where are South B and South C?

Wikipedia describes South B as a division of Starehe sub-county, about 3 km southeast of the CBD, with the Industrial Area to the east and South C to the southwest. The 2019 census counted 102,441 residents in the division. We could not open a separate page for South C, so what we say about it comes only from its position beside South B.

The page lists a shopping centre and the Capital Centre Mall, and number 11 matatus to Nairobi railway station. It also names Likoni Road, where Diamond Park estates line the road. We have not verified the Mombasa Road and Lang'ata Road links or the distance to Wilson Airport, so check those on the ground.

What is the difference between older flats and newer blocks?

The housing is mixed. Wikipedia describes middle-class housing, including the Mariakani estate. Mariakani was built by Nairobi City Council around 1970 and transferred to the Local Authorities Pension Fund in 2013. Standalone houses and high-rise flats exist alongside them.

For a renter, older estates often offer larger plots and established neighbours, while newer blocks may offer parking, generators and lifts but come with service charges. We have no sourced rent evidence for either, so we do not claim which is cheaper. Ask for two or three quotes in the same estate and ask each landlord what the rent includes.

How much is rent in South B?

We found no dated rent figure for South B or South C that we could open, and we have no listings of our own here. Rather than guess, we point to the Estate Intel survey from around early 2024, which gives the neighbouring ladder: one-bedrooms from about KES 50,000 in Westlands, Upper Hill, Kilimani and Parklands, from KES 14,000 in Kasarani and KES 10,000 to 18,000 in Ruiru. It does not mention South B or South C.

South B is only about 3 km from the CBD, so expect rents to sit between the outer commuter towns and the premium western districts, though that is our inference, not a sourced fact. Ask agents for current rents in writing. Landlords typically ask one to two months' rent as a deposit, according to Kenyans.co.ke.

What is the commute to the CBD and the Industrial Area?

Distance favours South B for people working in the CBD or the Industrial Area, which lies to its east. The 3 km figure is much shorter than the 11 km from Roysambu or 20 km from Ruiru in Wikipedia's pages. We do not have sourced travel times, because Likoni Road and the roads around the Industrial Area are busy at peak hours. Test the trip at your real hours before signing. Compare with Bedsitters and Houses for Rent in Roysambu, Nairobi, which is on the opposite side of the city along Thika Road.

Which schools and hospitals are nearby?

Wikipedia names these institutions in South B: Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Mariakani Cottage Hospital and South B Hospital for health, and Nairobi South Primary, Highway Secondary and the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication for education. These are Wikipedia's listings and should be confirmed with each institution. Mater Hospital's presence is a clear plus for families who value a major private hospital close by.

The same page notes informal settlements on the eastern side, part of the Mukuru area, so look at the immediate surroundings of any building rather than judging the whole division by one street.

What should I check before renting here?

Use this list.

• Building age: older blocks may need more repairs, newer blocks may charge more for services.
• Water and drainage: ask about supply, storage and drains around the building.
• Agent and landlord: verify them; see Estate Agents and Brokers in Nairobi: How to Choose One.
• Rights: read Tenant Rights in Kenya: Deposits, Notice, Eviction.

Kenyans.co.ke documents fake Nairobi listings that take deposits, so view first. For smaller units see Bedsitters for Rent in Nairobi: Areas, Rent and Checks and for family homes House to Let in Nairobi: Houses, Maisonettes, Bungalows. The hub is Houses and Apartments for Rent in Nairobi by Estate, the country guide is Kenya Land Ownership Guide for Ugandan Investors, and Ugandan rentals are at Houses and Apartments for Rent in Uganda.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• Houses and Apartments for Rent in Nairobi by Estate
• Kenya Land Ownership Guide for Ugandan Investors
• Bedsitters for Rent in Nairobi: Areas, Rent and Checks
• House to Let in Nairobi: Houses, Maisonettes, Bungalows
• Bedsitters and Houses for Rent in Roysambu, Nairobi
• Tenant Rights in Kenya: Deposits, Notice, Eviction