Located near the United Nations offices in Gigiri, the American Embassy, and Village Market, the leafy suburb has become synonymous with luxury living, massive mansions, tight security, and multimillion-shilling property investments.
But decades ago, Runda looked nothing like the exclusive estate it is today.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
Before the luxury villas, paved roads, and high-end gated compounds, the area was largely covered by sprawling coffee plantations.
The transformation of Runda into an affluent paradise is tied to the vision and influence of three key figures — Eliud Mathu, Andrew Zagoritis, and Elia Zagoritis — whose company, Mae Properties, saw an opportunity long before many others did.
The UN Headquarters Changed Everything
The growth of Runda was heavily influenced by international diplomacy and the establishment of major foreign institutions in Gigiri during the 1970s.
Among the most significant developments was the decision to locate the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
At the time, several countries in Europe and North America were competing aggressively to host the global environmental body. Some were even willing to finance the construction of the headquarters if it was built in their territories.
However, Kenya successfully secured the deal despite having limited financial resources for the project.
Two influential Kenyan leaders played a major role in lobbying for Nairobi to host UNEP: former Foreign Affairs Minister Njoroge Mungai and diplomat Joseph Odero-Jowi, who served as Kenya’s ambassador to the United Nations.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
They worked closely with Canadian diplomat Maurice Strong, who was one of the most powerful officials within the UN environmental movement at the time.
Eventually, Nairobi was selected as the headquarters location, with Gigiri chosen as the host neighborhood.
The move would permanently change the surrounding areas.
The growth of Runda was heavily influenced by international diplomacy and the establishment of major foreign institutions in Gigiri during the 1970s.
Among the most significant developments was the decision to locate the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
At the time, several countries in Europe and North America were competing aggressively to host the global environmental body. Some were even willing to finance the construction of the headquarters if it was built in their territories.
However, Kenya successfully secured the deal despite having limited financial resources for the project.
Two influential Kenyan leaders played a major role in lobbying for Nairobi to host UNEP: former Foreign Affairs Minister Njoroge Mungai and diplomat Joseph Odero-Jowi, who served as Kenya’s ambassador to the United Nations.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
They worked closely with Canadian diplomat Maurice Strong, who was one of the most powerful officials within the UN environmental movement at the time.
Eventually, Nairobi was selected as the headquarters location, with Gigiri chosen as the host neighborhood.
The move would permanently change the surrounding areas.
From Coffee Estate to Luxury Neighborhood
At the time UNEP was settling in Gigiri, the land that would later become Runda was still dominated by coffee farming.
But Mae Properties quickly realized that the arrival of hundreds of diplomats, expatriates, and international workers would create huge demand for high-end housing.
The company moved swiftly to transform the former coffee estate into an upscale residential neighborhood targeting wealthy foreign professionals.
Initially, Mae Properties developed what later became known as Old Runda, with spacious homes built on one-acre and two-acre plots.
At the time UNEP was settling in Gigiri, the land that would later become Runda was still dominated by coffee farming.
But Mae Properties quickly realized that the arrival of hundreds of diplomats, expatriates, and international workers would create huge demand for high-end housing.
The company moved swiftly to transform the former coffee estate into an upscale residential neighborhood targeting wealthy foreign professionals.
Initially, Mae Properties developed what later became known as Old Runda, with spacious homes built on one-acre and two-acre plots.
The estate was designed to offer privacy, greenery, and exclusivity — features that appealed strongly to diplomats and UN staff.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
The development became one of Nairobi’s earliest modern luxury suburbs.
By the 1990s, additional developers entered the area and expanded construction into smaller half-acre residential sections while still maintaining the estate’s premium status.
As demand grew, property prices in Runda skyrocketed, cementing its reputation as one of Kenya’s most expensive addresses.
The development became one of Nairobi’s earliest modern luxury suburbs.
By the 1990s, additional developers entered the area and expanded construction into smaller half-acre residential sections while still maintaining the estate’s premium status.
As demand grew, property prices in Runda skyrocketed, cementing its reputation as one of Kenya’s most expensive addresses.
Other Developers Expanded the Estate
The success of Old Runda inspired further developments in neighboring sections.
Kenya Commercial Bank later developed New Runda along Kiambu Road, opening another wave of luxury residential projects.
Former Gatundu Member of Parliament Zacharia Gakunju developed Runda Evergreen Estate to the eastern side, while Karume Investments expanded the area westward through Runda Mimosa.
Over time, the entire region evolved into a network of elite gated communities favored by wealthy Kenyans, diplomats, politicians, and international professionals.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
Today, homes in Runda sell for tens and sometimes hundreds of millions of shillings depending on location and size.
The Meaning Behind Mae Properties
The company that pioneered Runda’s transformation — Mae Properties — derived its name from the initials of its three founders:
Eliud Mathu
Andrew Zagoritis
Elia Zagoritis
The trio recognized the long-term economic potential of the area before many investors understood what the arrival of UNEP would mean for Nairobi’s property market.
Mae Properties eventually became one of the most influential real estate firms associated with the development of modern upscale neighborhoods in Kenya.
Today, the company is owned by Pan Africa Life Assurance.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
The success of Old Runda inspired further developments in neighboring sections.
Kenya Commercial Bank later developed New Runda along Kiambu Road, opening another wave of luxury residential projects.
Former Gatundu Member of Parliament Zacharia Gakunju developed Runda Evergreen Estate to the eastern side, while Karume Investments expanded the area westward through Runda Mimosa.
Over time, the entire region evolved into a network of elite gated communities favored by wealthy Kenyans, diplomats, politicians, and international professionals.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
Today, homes in Runda sell for tens and sometimes hundreds of millions of shillings depending on location and size.
The Meaning Behind Mae Properties
The company that pioneered Runda’s transformation — Mae Properties — derived its name from the initials of its three founders:
Eliud Mathu
Andrew Zagoritis
Elia Zagoritis
The trio recognized the long-term economic potential of the area before many investors understood what the arrival of UNEP would mean for Nairobi’s property market.
Mae Properties eventually became one of the most influential real estate firms associated with the development of modern upscale neighborhoods in Kenya.
Today, the company is owned by Pan Africa Life Assurance.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
The Legacy of Eliud Mathu
Among the founders, Eliud Mathu stood out as a highly influential figure in Kenya’s political history.
An Oxford University graduate, Mathu became the first African nominated by the British colonial government to represent African interests in the Legislative Council during colonial rule.
Following Kenya’s independence in 1963, he was appointed State House Controller under founding President Jomo Kenyatta.
His influence, combined with the business vision of the Zagoritis brothers, helped lay the foundation for what would become one of Kenya’s most prestigious residential estates.
Today, Runda stands not only as a symbol of luxury and wealth, but also as a reminder of how strategic real estate planning and global diplomacy transformed a quiet coffee plantation into a rich man’s paradise.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
Among the founders, Eliud Mathu stood out as a highly influential figure in Kenya’s political history.
An Oxford University graduate, Mathu became the first African nominated by the British colonial government to represent African interests in the Legislative Council during colonial rule.
Following Kenya’s independence in 1963, he was appointed State House Controller under founding President Jomo Kenyatta.
His influence, combined with the business vision of the Zagoritis brothers, helped lay the foundation for what would become one of Kenya’s most prestigious residential estates.
Today, Runda stands not only as a symbol of luxury and wealth, but also as a reminder of how strategic real estate planning and global diplomacy transformed a quiet coffee plantation into a rich man’s paradise.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
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