Madaraka Estate

Madaraka Estate is a middle class residential neighbourhood in Nairobi located approximately 5 km (3.1 mi) from the city center. The word madaraka is Swahili for self governance while “estate” refers to a housing development. Popularly known as Maada, the neighbourhood is one of Nairobi City Council’s oldest housing developments besides Jamhuri, Huruma Mariakani and Kariakor estates. It is located approximately 200 meters from Nyayo National Stadium on Lang’ata Road which branches off A104 the intercity highway that links Nairobi to Mombasa. Madaraka is bordered by other popular residential areas such as Nairobi West, Upper Hill, Kenyatta Estate, Mawenzi, Mbagathi, Nyayo Highrise, AP (Administration Police) Camp, and Siwaka. It sits on 45 acres of land in a location highly coveted for its close proximity and accessibility to the city. Kibera, Nairobi's largest slum is also about 3 miles from Madaraka.

Madaraka, nestled between the larger and more affluent suburbs of Karen and Westlands, is located at 1°18'26"S 36°48'55"E. It is within walking distance to the city center and its location makes it popular with property developers, private businesses and people attracted to the quite and low crime atmosphere of residential neighborhoods on west side of the city. The place is easily accessible to and from the airports, recreational spots, major educational institutions, hospitals, wildlife parks, museums, commercial and industrial areas. From Lang'ata road, the Ole Sangale road runs midway through the estate to intersect with Karuri Gakure Road.

Madaraka estate was constructed in the early 1970s for middle income city residents. The City Council of Nairobi obtained a loan from the National Housing Corporation (NHC) and constructed 2 and 3 bed-roomed rentals in 46 blocks of flats each with at least 12 units. The 46 blocks of residences comprising 192 two bed roomed flats and 408 three bedroom flats, were opened for occupancy on 1 June 1973 and 600 families moved in.

From the early 1990s it was reported that the City Council of Nairobi had defaulted on a Loan from NHC and the latter obtained a court ruling barring the City Council from collecting rent from Madaraka estate tenants. The tenants were instructed to pay their rents to NHC until the day the City Council would pay off its debt to the Corporation.

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Wikipedia