White House is among the fastest-growing estates in Nakuru. Situated along the Nakuru-Nyahururu highway, this estate has seen drastic developmental change between the year 2010 to 2023.

Every year, flashy apartments mushroom in the area attracting college students and young families to the area.

White House got its name from a house that was painted all white and had American flags around it. The house belonged to a Kenyan man who had moved back from the US in the early 90s.

In a bid to honour the United States, the man built a house painted it all white and placed US flags on the roof and at the entrance of the building.

According to Irene Njeri, a resident in White House for over 25 years, the name gained popularity when people alighting from matatus would say " Shukishia White house" (Drop me off at White House).

Over time people who visited the premises and those within this area adopted the name which is in use until now.

Later on, the owner of this building sold the house to an investor who converted the place to a gym.

A section of White House Estate in Nakuru

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/NMG

Ms Njeri notes that, this monumental building was recently demolished when the dual carriage road was being tarmacked between section 58 and Maili Saba.

She recalls White House in the 2000s as having vast coverage of green nature that has now been replace by big residential units to cater for the ever growing population of people relocating to this place.

Bordering Milimani estate to the west and being situated a few kilometres from the State House premises, the estate enjoys some level of security and this has had more people flock to this area.

Its proximity to town and availability of most social amenities, hospitals, schools, recreational facilities, shopping center and entertainment joints has also made more people eye this place.

Rent on the other side is affordable, and most middle-class families choose to rent out house here.

Naphtaly Mwangi, a real estate expert from Hyssop Properties states that the value of land in White House has appreciated by 100%.

"Back in 2010 a piece of land touching the highway would go for 2 million but as of now a 50 by 100 parcel of land goes for 7.5 million," says Mr Mwangi

He continues to say that, the growth of this place has highly been attributed to the availability of building materials from a quarry in Kagoto just a few kilometres away.

Wanjirukinuthia20@gmail.com

My Hood: The Growth of White House Estate

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