Until recently, home décor in Kenya was a quiet afterthought. Most houses served their purpose—a roof over one’s head—without much attention paid to aesthetic appeal. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Subscribe Today & Save! Unlock Now Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Already a subscriber? Log in Follow The Standard channel on WhatsApp Follow The Standard channel on WhatsApp Published Date: 2025-08-07 08:20:00 Author: By Amos Kiarie Source: The Standard
Author: By Amos Kiarie
Keith Walumbe is an incredible interior architect whose approach to design is truly inspiring. [Courtesy] Until recently, home décor in Kenya was a quiet afterthought. Most houses served their purpose—a roof over one’s head—without much attention paid to aesthetic appeal. But walk into a Nairobi apartment today, or a newly built home in Kiambu or Nyeri, and you’ll encounter carefully curated spaces that mirror design styles from Scandinavia, Japan, Bali, and beyond. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Subscribe Today & Save! Unlock Now Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized…
An artisan in Nyeri. [File, Standard] The sight of cranes piercing through Nyeri Town’s skyline has become more than a sign of construction—it is now a symbol of progress. But beyond the scaffolding, cement mixers, and dust clouds, a far more powerful transformation is underway – the rise of local opportunities and economic inclusion. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Subscribe Today & Save! Unlock Now Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Already a subscriber? Log in Follow The Standard…
Demonstrators block Simba Road in Likkii, Nanyuki, to demand justice for Julia Wangui Kariuki, who allegedly died in police custody, on July 14, 2025. [Amos Kiarie, Standard] A chief’s life in Nanyuki has been shattered after his daughter’s death, allegedly in the hands of police and prison authorities. Martin Kariuki Rienye, of Nturukuma Location, has served the government for 12 years, starting out as an assistant chief before his promotion to chief. He has enforced the law, maintaining order, and upholding State authority. /* Container styling */ .fade-out-overlay { position: absolute; top: -80px; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 60px; z-index:…
Demonstrators block Simba Road in Likkii, Nanyuki, to demand justice for Julia Wangui Kariuki, who allegedly died in police custody, on July 14, 2025. [Amos Kiarie, Standard] A chief’s life in Nanyuki has been shattered after his daughter’s death, allegedly in the hands of police and prison authorities. Martin Kariuki Rienye, of Nturukuma Location, has served the government for 12 years, starting out as an assistant chief before his promotion to chief. He has enforced the law, maintaining order, and upholding State authority. /* Container styling */ .fade-out-overlay { position: absolute; top: -80px; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 60px; z-index:…
Kalonzo Musyoka during the funeral of Gladys Gathoni, aunt to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, in Inono Village, Mathira Constituency, Nyeri County. [Amos Kiarie, Standard] Opposition leaders have criticized President William Ruto over his plans to construct a church at State House, accusing him of misusing public land for religious purposes and disregarding the constitutional separation of church and State. Led by former Deputy President and Democratic Change Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, the opposition termed the President’s move as inappropriate and hypocritical, especially at a time when the government is facing widespread criticism over the handling of youth-led dissent…
Esther Nyambura, mother of the late Peter Mwangi Nyambura, breaks down in tears during his burial preparations in Baghdad village, Kieni East. Mwangi, a first-year student at Nyeri National Polytechnic, was allegedly killed during the Gen Z-led protests in Nyeri town. [AmosKiarie/Standard] The family and friends of 20-year-old Peter Mwangi Nyambura are demanding justice following his tragic death during the Gen Z-led protests in Nyeri town on June 25. Mwangi, a first-year student at Nyeri National Polytechnic, allegedly sustained fatal head injuries as police attempted to disperse crowds and stop looters who had invaded Naivas Supermarket during the demonstrations. The peaceful demonstration…
Kenya’s real estate sector is undergoing a major transformation as unlicensed brokers, long seen as the gatekeepers between landowners, tenants and buyers face rapid obsolescence. The combination of technology, digitised land records, professional real estate agencies, and a new generation of tech-savvy property seekers has led to a sharp decline in the relevance of middlemen across the country. As buyers increasingly demand transparency and control, they are turning to licensed agencies that offer complete packages—legal verification, title deed checks, site coordination, and price disclosures. Nationally, the shift away from informal middlemen is not anecdotal; it is supported by data and regulatory shifts. A 2023 report…
Locals at the scene in Nairobi where a civilian hawking face masks was shot by the police.[Collins Oduor, Standard] Kenya’s construction sector is on the brink, as rising political temperatures—fueled by nationwide protests over police brutality and the death of Albert Ojwang in custody—trigger an economic slowdown, stall building projects, and disrupt supply chains. A sector once valued at over Sh1.5 trillion in GDP contribution in 2022 is now facing contraction, with contractors suspending work and developers holding back due to mounting uncertainty. Get Trusted News for Only Ksh99 a Week Subscribe Today & Save! Get Started Unlimited access to…
A sign board warning against purchase of land at Kapsoya Estate in Eldoret. [File, Standard] The dream of land ownership in Kenya is fast becoming a legal nightmare for many. Across the country, thousands of Kenyans are locked in court battles, nursing financial losses, or living in constant fear of eviction—all because of one document: the title deed. Recent data indicates that thousands of land fraud cases involving forged titles, illegal allocations, and double registrations are pending in Kenyan courts—a significant rise compared to previous years. Counties such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Kiambu have emerged as hotspots where cartels…
DP Kithure Kindiki hosted by Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri at the Buuri Empowerment Programme in Meru. May 31, 2025. [Phares Mutembei, Standard] DP Kithure Kindiki and a group of Kenya Kwanza MPs from the Mt Kenya region have accused former DP Rigathi Gachagua of political intimidation and dictatorial tendencies aimed at controlling the region’s political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking during the commissioning of the Othaya Stadium in Nyeri County, Kindiki said Gachagua, who was recently impeached and now leads his political outfit, the Democratic Conservative Party (DCP), is no longer interested in service delivery but in consolidating personal…
Recent photo’s of Nyahururu town. Both Nyandarua and Laikipia counties are claiming it. [Standard] Nyahururu, a small town tucked into the highlands of Kenya’s Laikipia County, is undergoing a quiet but meaningful transformation. Once known mostly for its iconic Thompson Falls and crisp air, the town has long been a stopover rather than a destination. But that’s changing. A convergence of shifting investment patterns, post-pandemic tourism trends, and real estate affordability is helping Nyahururu reimagine itself for the future. Across Kenya, skyrocketing land prices in major urban areas such as Nairobi, where prime plots average over Sh189 million per acre…
Generation Z also seek properties that align with their environmental values. Land parcels near conservation zones, developments with tree-planting commitments, and those promoting rainwater harvesting or solar infrastructure stand out. [iStockphoto] For decades, the trajectory of land ownership in Kenya followed a familiar path: save diligently, buy a plot on the outskirts of a town or city, and eventually build a family home, often long after retirement. But this narrative is undergoing a dramatic rewrite, driven by a digitally native, financially cautious, and highly aspirational generation—Generation Z—alongside a rapidly growing urban middle class. Get Trusted News for Only Ksh99 a…
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi when he appeared before The Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations Committee to deliberate on the pending legislative business before the Committee and areas of collaboration at Parliament on April 29, 2025. [Boniface Okendo, Standard] Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has cautioned the Mt Kenya region against shifting its political allegiance away from President William Ruto. They warned that such a move could cause the region to lose out on crucial government opportunities and development benefits. Speaking on Sunday at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) in Othaya, Nyeri County,…
Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Labour and Social Protection Dr Alfred Mutua when he met Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli, they committed towards better working services for Kenyans working in the diaspora on August 20, 2024 at Upper Hill, Nairobi. [Kanyiri Wahito Standard] In a move aimed at transforming the lives of children across the country, the government has officially inaugurated the State Department for Children Welfare Services. The new department, carved out from the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, will lead in implementing the Children Act, 2022, which is hailed as a transformative piece…
President William Ruto addressing residents at Ol Kalou town in Nyandarua county on April 03, 2025 during his Mt Kenya Region Tour. [Kipsang Joseph,Standard] President William Ruto has claimed he will exit power in 2027 if he fails to deliver on his promises to the people. The president, who concluded his five-day visit to the Mount Kenya region, rallied the region to support his administration as he continued with his wave of promises and goodies to the region. For a man whose administration has been struggling to deliver on its promises amid early campaigns, a tough test awaits him to…