How much is rent in Bamburi in 2025? flats, bedsitters & apartment prices

You might be wondering, why Bamburi specifically?

Well, when I first landed in Mombasa, that’s exactly where my house hunt began. I actually started in Nyali and made my way down to Bamburi and eventually Kiembeni.

Picture this: hot sun blazing, me on a boda boda with an ice cream in hand, bouncing from estate to estate looking for something within my budget.

I saw a lot, so I thought I’d share the experience, just so you’re not caught off guard when it’s your turn.

We kicked things off in Nyali. The boda guy showed me around areas like Koroga, Greenwood Estate, Nyali Cinemax, and Nyali Reef.

Beautiful places, but pricey.

Rent for a two-bedroom starts around Ksh 40,000 and can go all the way up to Ksh 150,000 per month. My budget was Ksh 20,000, so clearly, I was way off.

That’s when my boda guy said, “Let me show you where your money can actually work.” So, off to Bamburi we went.

Bamburi is huge. We started at Lakeview, which has different phases (1 to 6).

In Phase 1, a three-bedroom house was going for around Ksh 30,000, while two-bedroom houses were in the Ksh 15,000–20,000 range, right in my budget.

Finally, I started to feel some hope.

Next, we checked out Bamburi Mwisho. It’s packed with flats. There, you can get a one-bedroom for around Ksh 10,000 and some going up to Ksh 15,000. But I wasn’t too keen on the congestion.

So we moved on to Kiembeni. I was still chasing that elusive three-bedroom for Ksh 20,000. While riding through, I noticed many older houses. Honestly, I asked myself, “Are we still in Mombasa?” The boda guy explained that Kiembeni has older homes, but newer ones are popping up too.

We started our search near the police station. Rents in that area looked like this:

• Bedsitters: Ksh 8,000

• One-bedroom: Ksh 12,000

• Two-bedroom: Ksh 16,000

Eventually, we found ourselves in Blue Estate, where there are own-compound houses. Three-bedrooms averaged Ksh 28,000, though with some bargaining you could get one for Ksh 26,000–30,000, depending on the landlord.

We wrapped things up in Bamburi Kisauni, but didn’t stay long. I was warned that security in the area isn’t the best.

Funny thing though, you can find spacious two-bedrooms there for just Ksh 15,000. But again, security is something you really need to think about. Your guess is as good as mine.

After two days of house-hunting, I had to make a decision. I’d already given notice at my place in Nairobi and needed to move immediately.

Since my workstation is in Nyali, I was looking for somewhere nearby, but not too busy. I also really wanted a house with its own compound, so I settled on Kiembeni.

If you’re planning to move to any of the areas I’ve mentioned, those rent ranges give you a good idea of what to expect. My advice?

Sharpen your negotiation skills. Many landlords and agents are open to bargaining, and it could save you quite a bit.

Now, let’s talk about some of the extra costs you might run into.

• Transport - If you plan to move around a lot using boda bodas, have at least Ksh 1,000 on you. I’d avoid TukTuks unless your budget is flexible, they're more expensive in the long run.

• House agent - Be careful. Some are legit, but many are not. A few will even ask for a percentage of your rent, which is absurd. It's like they expect you to work for them. Before you start looking at houses, always ask upfront about the viewing fee and commission. Personally, I paid Ksh 400 for viewing and gave the agent Ksh 1,000 as a token. He had initially asked for Ksh 10,000, but I stood my ground. Some of these guys are just out to exploit you, so don’t be afraid to say no.

On the bright side, areas like Kiembeni and Bamburi are well-equipped. You won’t stress about food, there are lots of local eateries and even a Naivas supermarket in Bamburi.

In case of emergencies, there are nearby hospitals. If you’re religious, you’ll also find churches around.

And yes, there are places to have fun—though let’s just say, be cautious with the Bamburi ladies (that’s a story for another day).

Summary

If you're considering moving to Mombasa and your focus is on Bamburi and nearby areas, here’s a firsthand breakdown of what to expect when house-hunting, especially if you’re working with a modest budget.

Starting from Nyali, where rents range from Ksh 40,000 to 150,000 for a two-bedroom, I quickly realized that Nyali was out of my budget.

I then explored various areas of Bamburi, including

• Lakeview (where two-bedroom units go for Ksh 15,000–20,000)

• Bamburi Mwisho (with one-bedrooms starting at Ksh 10,000)

• Kiembeni (where a decent three-bedroom can be found for around Ksh 20,000)

I also visited Blue Estate, where three-bedrooms go for about Ksh 28,000, and Kisauni, which offers good rates but raised security concerns.

There are a few things to watch out for: agents who overcharge, unreliable TukTuks that might cost more than they’re worth, and the importance of negotiating rent. On the upside, these areas have good amenities like supermarkets, eateries, hospitals, and places of worship.

Conclusion

After checking out several neighborhoods and weighing price, safety, and convenience, I chose Kiembeni for its reasonable rents, quieter vibe, and own-compound housing options.

If you're moving to Mombasa and want something similar, it’s a solid choice, just bring your negotiation skills and avoid dodgy agents.

My final thoughts

If you’ve lived or searched for housing around Mombasa, especially in Bamburi, Kiembeni, or Nyali, how was your experience?

Would you recommend a different area?