Kenya's prime office occupancy rises 3 per cent in H1 amid slowed completion of new supply
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Kenya's prime office occupancy rose 3.3 percentage points to 84.88 percent in the six months to June 2026, according to Knight Frank data.
Kenya's prime office market is tightening as a slowdown in new developments pushes more businesses into existing high-quality buildings, lifting occupancy in the six months to June 2026.
Data by real estate consultancy Knight Frank shows prime office occupancy rose by 3.3 percentage points to 84.88 percent during the period, from 81.58 percent in December 2025. The consultancy attributes the increase mainly to continued absorption of existing office stock amid a lack of significant new completions, a trend that has persisted since 2025.
The shortage is becoming more pronounced for large, high-quality spaces suitable for multinational corporations and other major occupiers. Demand remained healthy among multinational corporations, banks, professional services firms, technology companies and diplomatic organisations, reinforcing Nairobi's position as East Africa's commercial and financial hub.
Some businesses have responded by extending leases in their current premises while also committing to space in developments expected to come to market later. Others have taken up available space in established prime buildings, including Nairobi's Global Trade Centre (GTC), which has seen occupancy improve as competing new supply declined over the past two years.
Knight Frank says the development pipeline remains strong from 2027, with developers expected to bring new prime stock to the Nairobi market in the coming years.