MRE Real Estate has broken ground on a Ksh 400 million mixed-use commercial mall in Eastlands, Nairobi, betting on the continued shift toward neighbourhood retail centres in high-density urban corridors.
- •Manyanja Mall will include a supermarket anchor, petrol station, pharmacy and healthcare services, food and beverage outlets, flexible SME retail spaces and family recreational areas.
- •Confirmed anchor tenants include Quickmart, Rubis and Goodlife Pharmacy.
- •The broader real estate outlook for 2026 is characterised by what Knight Frank describes as “cautious confidence,” with developers prioritising project completion and absorption of existing stock ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We are creating a modern, accessible commercial hub that brings essential services closer to residents while unlocking economic opportunity for local businesses,” said Eric Muli, CEO of MRE Real Estate, "The integrated model is designed to generate sustained daily traffic by clustering complementary services in one location while strengthening tenant viability through shared customer flows."
In retail, Knight Frank expects expansion to remain measured, with emphasis on well-positioned neighbourhood centres rather than speculative large-scale malls. Middle-income catchments, value retail formats, and mixed-use convenience hubs are projected to dominate new supply.
“Eastlands continues to experience strong population growth and rising consumer spending. Our presence at Manyanja Mall allows us to serve customers with convenience while supporting the transformation of neighbourhood retail infrastructure," Humphrey Mburugu, Quickmart’s Head of Projects, said.
Knight Frank’s Kenya Market Update H2 2025 notes that limited new retail supply and stronger demand for convenience-led formats have helped stabilise occupancy levels across quality retail stock. More than 230,000 square feet of retail space entered the market in 2025, largely in the neighbourhood and community mall category, as developers responded cautiously to past oversupply in large-scale formats. Naivas surpassed 113 stores nationwide by the end of 2025, while Carrefour grew to 34 outlets. Quickmart opened its 63rd branch in Ruaka during the review period, underscoring sustained appetite for organised retail in community settings.
The 2026 outlook points to continued emphasis on mixed-use and middle-income locations, with supermarket chains expanding aggressively into residential zones.
