Otieno: Why I abandoned my Sh4 million house and went back to renting

James Otieno, a Nairobi-based man has revealed why he abandoned his house in Kiserian to live in a rented apartment in Nairobi.

Otieno, a data analyst, revealed to Money254 that he completed building his 4-bedroom house in January 2025, an achievement he had long yearned for.

He added that he spent over Sh4 million to complete the project. However, two months later, the house lost meaning, forcing him to return to renting in March.

According to Otieno, owning a house outside Nairobi came with many inconveniences as he had to commute daily to Nairobi for work. From long commuting hours to loneliness and lack of amenities, life became unbearable for the 30-year-old who previously lived in Kilimani.

He explained that he would spend 1-2 hours driving from Kiserian to his workplace in Upper Hill daily. Otieno was often leaving home at 5:30 am to avoid traffic and returning as late as 8 pm.

His fuel cost shot up to Sh12,000-Sh15,000 per month, almost double his previous fuel cost of  Sh6,000–Sh8,000 per month while living in Kilimani Jamhuri. Additionally, the mileage and rougher roads on the stretch from the main road to his house also increased his car maintenance expenses.

Otieno says that the commuting costs and time lost made the ‘cheaper’ home more expensive in other ways.

He also realized that accessing amenities such as gym and grocery stores in Kiserian was a big hassle. Within the two months there were some incidents on insecurity in the area, making him feel unsafe especially when he had to return home late in the night.

Even though he is back to renting, Otieno says he does not regret building a house. He instead uses his experience as a lesson to other young professionals. According to him, people should look beyond rent when building a house away from the city.

“Calculate the full cost of living beyond just rent. Include commuting time, fuel, maintenance, lifestyle expenses, convenience, and emotional well-being. Cheaper living can become more expensive in hidden ways,” he says.

“Homeownership is not only a financial decision; it affects your daily life, routines, relationships, and happiness. A house can be beautiful but emotionally and socially draining if it disconnects you from your life,” Otieno adds.

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