‘My extra bedroom earns me over Sh100,000’

Molly at her apartment in Lang'ata. PHOTO | LUCY WANJIKU | NMG 

From outside, there is nothing especially hotel-like about these homes. Some are located in very desirable neighbourhoods while others are in downtown Nairobi. Some have beds made from recycled pallets but fancy, others have gone extra with Bohemian interiors while many are just basic Kenyan homes, minimally decorated.

Yet these houses, listed on the home sharing site Airbnb, charging from Sh1,500 for accommodation to Sh7,000 a day, are attracting thousands of foreigner travellers and earning Kenyans extra income.

As the younger generation begins to travel more, they are opting for authentic experiences over the comfort and luxury offered in traditional hotels. They want to live like locals, mingle and share experiences with them in markets where they buy their daily groceries to joining them in churches.

Molly Ogogo is one of the Airbnb entrepreneurs. The teacher by profession rents out extra space in her apartment in Nairobi’s Langata.

She first came across of the home sharing concept when she was doing a random Internet search on cheap places to stay in Singapore. Though banned in Singapore, Airbnb was everywhere on the results page, she says.

She first enrolled as a guest, and later came back to Nairobi and started hosting others for extra income.

Ms Ogogo's Airbnb house in Lang'ata. PHOTO | LUCY WANJIKU | NMG

Ms Ogogo is among the growing list of Kenyans who are renting out extra rooms or houses on different homestay platforms. From stand-alone houses to apartments and single self-contained rooms, local hosts have listed a variety of properties.

Some hosts rent an apartment, furnish it and then give it out to tourists for short stays. This is the case with David Kiragu and Martin Kinuthia, both IT professionals.

Mr Kiragu has listed a property on Kirinyaga Road in downtown Nairobi while Mr Kinuthia has rented out an apartment in Ruaka, not far from Two Rivers Mall.

“The property is steps away from Two Rivers Mall. I chose the area because it’s better known for expatriates on long-term contracts, middle-class locals and foreigners,” he says.

Mr Kiragu says that proximity to the city centre informed his choice of the Airbnb house.

“I know many people might have doubts [due to insecurity] but the property is close to Globe Roundabout and the security is pretty good, despite the perception most have of downtown Nairobi,” he says.

For years, hotels have dominated the accommodation part of tourism. But the high rates made travelling expensive. Nowadays, low budget hotels, desire to explore the world and affordable Airbnb homes have made it easier for many to travel, even those who do not have a lot of disposable income.

Travellers are also looking for experiences away from the confines of designated tourist areas. Millennials are passionate users of Airbnb and roughly 60 percent of all guests who have ever booked on Airbnb are the young generation.

Kenya, according to Airbnb, ranks third in Africa on listing homes after South Africa and Morocco. In 2018, there were about 132,000 property listed on Airbnb in Africa, and the number is rising.

David Kiragu at Eagles Tower Kirinyaga Road. PHOTO | LUCY WANJIKU | NMG

The homes attract from solo travellers to families and groups.

Families on leisure or business trips favour Ms Ogogo’s house. They stay in her spare bedrooms while sharing the living room.

She adds that her sharing her three-bedroom apartment with strangers is not only about making money. Some who stay for months have become her friends and return guests.

“The concept of hosting strangers is rewarding in itself. I get to learn so much from them because they come from different backgrounds and countries. The guests on their part receive a different kind of experience from luxury hotels,” she says.

For Mr Kinuthia, ensuring tourists have a memorable stay in Nairobi is what excites him.

Martin at his house in Ruaka, which he has listed on Airbnb. PHOTO | COURTESY

“Hosting is a great experience because I meet people from all over the world. Because they are well-travelled, some give me tips on how to make my house more comfortable and they recommend it to their friends and families,” he says.

Some of his guests are now like family, he adds.

“I actually take care of their needs as if they were my own, recommending nice hangout joints, my favourites, so they definitely feel like family to me.”

Mr Kiragu gives an example of a couple he hosted months ago and they have been communicating since.

“Most times, a host’s kindness is rewarded with a high rating and constant bookings. And who knows, they might even invite me visit them,” Ms Ogogo says.

Some of the Airbnb entrepreneurs in Kenya also have day jobs. So how do they juggle work and hosting?

The concept of homestay is straightforward; homeowners give out extra space in their houses for travellers and as a host, one is only obligated to give space and not around the clock services as is the case in hotels.

Kitchen area of Mr Kiragu's Airbnb along Kirinyaga Road, downtown Nairobi. PHOTO | LUCY WANJIKU | NMG

So there is no cooking for the guests or planning their itinerary, unless on request and which attracts extra charges.

This gives hosts time to focus on other things, say full-time employment while using their free time to welcome tourists to their homes or a separately rented apartment.

“Hosting is not really engaging as long as someone is there to usher in the guest and orient them. Most guests have their daily engagements so you get ample time to do you other tasks,” says Ms Ogogo.

The platforms also have features that make it easy for hosts to organise their schedules, only inviting people in their homes when they have the time and their listings are ready.

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