Over the past decade, the Kiambu Road corridor—stretching from Muthaiga and Runda through Ridgeways and Kiambu Town—has transformed from an agricultural hinterland into one of the Nairobi Metropolitan Area’s premier commercial and real estate hubs.
Fueled by major infrastructure expansions, high-density residential developments, modern shopping malls (such as Ridgeways Mall, Kiambu Mall, and Runda Mall), and high-end automotive and hospitality ventures, the region attracts billions of shillings in private investment. However, Kenya’s historical pattern of election-related economic slowdowns and civil unrest poses a recurring risk to capital-heavy investments in real estate, retail, and commercial infrastructure.
As the country gradually enters the electioneering season, investors and business leaders across key sectors are calling for political restraint, tolerance, and peaceful campaigns to safeguard Kenya’s economic momentum.
Speaking during a multi-sector business expo held at Runda Mall along the rapidly growing Kiambu Road corridor, business owners expressed concern over rising political rhetoric. Real estate developers, land vendors, motor industry players, and hospitality operators noted that businesses remain vulnerable to election-related disruptions, citing past losses caused by riots, street demonstrations, and criminal opportunism.
The fourth edition of the trade exhibition—organized by Cribs and Biz Fusion—brought together industry leaders and prospective buyers. The event provided a platform for networking, investment education, and transparent deal-making.
Kariuki Njeri, the lead organizer of the expo, highlighted that the rapid commercial expansion along Kiambu Road provided an ideal backdrop for the event. By leveraging digital platforms and social media, the organizers successfully mobilized key industry players to engage directly with the public.
Beyond political peace, the expo addressed consumer protection in the property market. Organizers emphasized that structured trade expos give prospective buyers a reliable avenue to conduct due diligence, protecting them from fraudulent operators in the real estate and land sectors.
According to Mr Mbugua Director at Marvel Rise Decor which is involved in in house decorations and one of the Expo Exhibitors, he called upon the Government to reduce VAT charges on imports since most of the investors had greatly suffered while importing their products.
As political activities escalate nationwide, exhibitors urged all political actors and citizens to prioritize economic stability and peaceful coexistence, ensuring that Kenya’s commercial growth remains uninterrupted
