Karen’s Location
Karen is a leafy suburb in southwest Nairobi, named after the Danish author Karen Blixen who lived there during colonial times. It’s consistently rated one of the best places to live in Nairobi, and for good reason. You get a quiet, semi-rural feel with proper amenities minutes away.
Waterfront Karen
Waterfront is built around a scenic lake. You can stroll around the water, have a picnic, try Maji Magic aqua park, or do some go-kart racing. When you get hungry there’s CJ’s Karen and a bunch of other restaurants right there. Good family spot, gets packed on weekends.
The Hub Karen
The Hub is Karen’s main mall. Beyond the shops, you can go zip-lining, hit the indoor arcade, roller-blade around the park, or just chill by the small lake. It’s become the social centre for the Karen area.
Karen Hospital
Karen Hospital is a private facility that opened in 2006. It runs a training centre for medical professionals, a research centre for clinical trials, and community outreach including free medical camps. The hospital’s green, quiet setting is part of the appeal for both local and international patients.
Karen Country Club
Founded in 1937, Karen Country Club has one of the best 18-hole golf courses in Kenya. There are also tennis courts, swimming pools, a gym, squash courts, and kids’ playgrounds. They recently opened luxury residences (apartments and cottages overlooking the course) for both short and long-term stays.
Investing Near Karen
Karen itself has some of the highest land prices in Kenya. But you don’t have to pay Karen prices to live close by. The Karenview area is about 10km away, with the Nairobi Spine Hospital relocating there and a solar-powered hotel already operating. It’s developing fast.
