Buruburu

Buruburu is a large middle-class residential area in the Eastlands part of Nairobi, Kenya, situated in Makadara Division. Buruburu Estate comprises five phases, one being the oldest, with the fifth completed in 1982. Most of the houses resemble modern architecture of white buildings with striking orange tiled roof tops, all built in a town-house orientation. Buruburu gave rise to modern-day Sheng, a language spoken by virtually all of Nairobi's youth. Buruburu maintains its original flavor, but more recent developments include expansion of its shopping centre.

History

Buruburu was built as a middle-income estate in the 1970s and 1980s and inhabited by Kenyan business people, government officials, professionals and a few expatriates on short-term assignments. The estate comprises five phases of 1000 units each. The houses were mainly two storey maisonettes with 3-4 bedrooms, and 2-3 bedroom bungalows.

Basic facts about Buruburu

• Coordinates: 1°17'18"S 36°52'46"E
• Time zone: East Africa Time change from UTC*UTC+0300
• Location: East of Nairobi City about 12 km
• Markets in Buruburu: Jericho markets, Mtindwa, Mesora, Fairlane shopping complex, Uchumi supermarket, Tuskys supermarket,and Naivas supermarket.
• Main languages: Kiswahili, slang and Sheng
• Bus companies: Kenya Bus Service (KBS), 2M or Double M; Citi Hoppa.
• Matatu routes 58 and 23
• Bus fare: 50 kshs at ordinary times and up to 60 kshs at extraordinary times
• House rent:

 -Bedsitter – between Ksh 8000 to 12000 
 -Single bedroom house - between Ksh 15,000 and 20,000 
 -Double bedroom house - between Ksh 25,000 and  30,000
 -Three bedroom house – between Ksh 35.000 and 50,000

N/b prices are arrived at based on size, location, type as at January 2012

Constituency: Makadara and Kamkunji (Buruburu phase 1 and Buruburu phase 5 extensions are in Kamkunji constituency)

Neighboring estates: Ofafa Jericho, Jericho, Hamza, Umoja, Kariobangi south, Old Donholm, Outering estate, Kiambiu slums, Pioneer estate, Harambee and Rabai estates

Roads: Rabai Road, Jogoo Road and Mumias South Road

Nearest city/town: Nairobi CBD

Services Available within Buru Buru

Banks: several bank branches and numerous ATMs (PayPal, Kenya Commercial Bank, Co-operative, K-rep, Equity, Stanbic, Chase Bank and Barclays have branches)

Mobile Phone care centres: Orange, Safaricom, Airtel, Ericsson.

Digital Broadcast Satellites: DSTV, GoTV, Zuku, and Startimes.

Clinics: SOS Medical Centre, Jamaa medical hospital (maternity), Meridian medical, Metropolitan hospital, Aga Khan, Mater, Avenue Health, Gertrude's among others.

Baby care and pre-primary: many private baby day care centers

Primary schools: Bidii primary, Harambee estate primary, Rabai road primary, Shepherds junior, Happyland school, River road primary, Buruburu 1 primary, SOS promary, and other small private schools

Secondary schools: Buruburu girls, Npc secondary school, Buruburu high school, Apostolic Carmel girls' school

Colleges and university: East African school of theology, IAT, Shepherds college, AUSI, Buruburu Institute of Fine Arts, SOS Technical Institute, Unity College

Take aways: Chiken-Inn, Pizza-Inn, Creamy-Inn, Galito's, Kenchic.

Driving schools: There are several driving schools

The Kenya National Library Service opened their biggest library in Buruburu phase 2.

Religious institutions:

• Churches:ACK, NPC, PCEA, Kenya Assemblies of God, Catholic, SDA among many others
• Muslim Community Centers

Famous for:

Buruburu is widely believed to have given rise to modern-day Sheng, a language spoken by virtually all of Nairobi's youth.

There is also a flea market just close by the shopping center called "Mutindwa". Here you may purchase clothes, shoes, accessories and all manner of stuff cheaply.

The most pimped and sweet matatus in the city with the craziest sound which provide the fastest means of transport.

The good:

1. Main roads are fairly good
2. Businesses are more likely to succeed due to large number of customers
3. Low occurrences of power outages
4. Close proximity to banks and other financial facilities
5. New public library with massive space
6. Reasonably secure
7. Transport available throughout night and day
8. Access to rail transport
9. Close proximity to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

The bad:

1. Feeder roads need maintenance
2. TV and radio reception not very good
3. Higher rent rates not easily affordable
4. Close proximity to estate pubs
5. Taps occasionally run dry ( a common feature in the Nairobi region)

The ugly:

1. Noisy due to high population
2. No flora and fauna (trees or animals)
3. Insufficient recreation facilities as is the case in many other neighbourhoods in Nairobi