Butterfly Properties Ltd (BPL), a real estate development and project management company that manages 500,000 square feet of space to tenants from several countries including Kenya, USA, India, UAE and Australia , located at New Horizons Industrial Park (The Facility). The facility is located within a walled compound with 24-hour CCTV surveillance, security guards and controlled access located in Ruiru Town.

BPL has a variety of modern warehouse spaces ranging from 1,000SF to 50,000 SF at affordable rates, which can be modified to meet the clients requirements. The facility is easily accessible, 25 minutes from Nairobi CBD, 30 minutes from the Airport and Industrial area and 5 minutes from major highways including the Thika Highway, Eastern and Northern bypass.

Global property manager Knight Frank notes that activity is set to shift from Nairobi’s Industrial Area to emerging hubs such as Ruiru. Poor infrastructure and land costs have also pushed out warehouses to outside the city.

Ruiru, as an industrial hub, has become the darling of investors and hosts numerous factories, including steel mills and textile makers. This has led to individuals moving to Ruiru thus creating readily available labour. Plans are underway to designate it into a city status and refurbishment of the Nairobi-Nanyuki railway is set to boost the town.

Retailers have also upped the demand for storage spaces. According to Knight Frank, the retail sector is a key source of warehousing demand. “At present, many retailers import goods and make use of small storage facilities at their stores, but as retailers gain critical mass within Kenya, they are increasingly requiring large centralised warehouse,” says the Africa Horizons report. It notes that retailers prefer to lease warehouses whereas food and beverage companies build their own facilities.