Kisumu Youth Prove Hospitality Success Needs No Property Ownership

(KISUMU CITY) – Young entrepreneurs are adopting a business model that has transformed hospitality in the Kenyan city of Kisumu, building successful accommodation ventures without owning property.

The approach, which relies on digital platforms to connect travellers with furnished apartments, is creating jobs and expanding options for visitors seeking affordable and flexible lodging.

In Kisumu, Michael Najabi Mukoya, founder of Kisumu Living, entered the hospitality business by chance during a trip from Nairobi.

“I had no plan. We were just looking for accommodation. I did not even know what Airbnb was at the time. That is when I learned it exists,” he said.

What began as a simple search for a place to stay has grown into a hospitality brand operating multiple short-term rental units across the lakeside city.

A graduate of Economics from Maseno University, Mukoya now works full-time in real estate and Airbnb management. His business did not start with property ownership or large financial resources.

Instead, he saw an opening to act as an intermediary between property owners and travellers needing accommodation.

“I had no capital, so I decided to become an agent. Airbnb requires money because you need to furnish apartments before you can begin. I therefore started by connecting hosts with guests,” he explained.

His main early challenge was earning the trust of potential clients.

Without apartments to show or an established name, convincing travellers to rely on his services was difficult.

The internet became his most important tool.

“The internet changed everything. I got my first clients through Facebook,” he said.

Mukoya began posting available accommodation on Facebook Marketplace under the Kisumu Living brand, often marketing properties before securing long-term agreements with hosts.

“I was posting every day even before I had enough hosts. People kept responding to my adverts, and that is when I realised accommodation was a genuine business opportunity,” he said.

His breakthrough arrived when a client booked a one-bedroom apartment in Lolwe Estate.

“At first I thought it was a joke. Someone simply asked whether the apartment was available. I confirmed it was, and they booked it for three nights,” he recalled.

Although he lacked confidence at the time, the successful booking proved the business model could work.

“I was very shy, but when the client actually arrived and stayed, it proved that someone could trust me simply because they had seen my Facebook post.”

From that point, referrals increased steadily as more property owners entrusted him with managing their apartments.

Kisumu Living now manages furnished apartments in several estates, including Milimani, Tom Mboya Estate, Makasembo, Polyview, Lolwe Estate, Mamboleo, Otonglo and the Central Business District.

“We are spread across different parts of Kisumu so that we can serve clients wherever they want to stay,” Mukoya said.

The expansion reflects wider changes in Kisumu’s hospitality industry. As the city strengthens its position as a regional centre for conferences, education, trade, healthcare and domestic tourism, demand for alternative accommodation continues to rise.

Hotels are no longer the only choice for visitors. Fully furnished apartments increasingly attract business travellers, families and tourists seeking privacy, flexibility and affordability.

The sector now serves business travellers, tourists, conference delegates and families while generating employment for property managers, booking agents, cleaners and digital marketers.

Kisumu’s growing role as a regional commercial centre has boosted demand for serviced apartments, Mukoya said.

The city hosts conferences, academic events, government meetings, sporting activities and business forums throughout the year, attracting thousands of visitors.

According to the 2024 Kisumu County Statistical Abstract, the county had 133 classified hotels with a combined bed capacity of 3,650 in 2023. During the same period, Kisumu International Airport handled more than 277,000 passengers.

The rise in visitor numbers has created space for alternative accommodation models, particularly furnished apartments that offer greater privacy, kitchen facilities and flexible pricing compared to conventional hotels.

Mukoya said the business has also created employment for many young people.

“We work with cleaners, maintenance personnel, photographers, online marketers and customer service providers. Every apartment creates work for several people.”

As the enterprise grew, his role moved beyond simply matching clients with accommodation.

“We do not just provide a place to sleep. We aim to maximise our clients’ productivity while they are in Kisumu by ensuring they enjoy a comfortable stay.”

He believes quality accommodation directly shapes visitors’ experiences.

“Your productivity today depends on how well you slept yesterday. Our responsibility is to make sure every guest rests comfortably.”

Digital marketing remains central to his business strategy.

Mukoya actively promotes available apartments through Facebook, TikTok and other online platforms, saying visibility has become one of the most valuable business assets.

“In today’s world, visibility comes before everything else. You may possess excellent skills, but if nobody knows your business exists, success becomes difficult.”

One TikTok advertisement generated one of his most memorable bookings.

“I had very few followers when I uploaded a video. A lady contacted me through direct message, requested a viewing and later booked one of our Milimani apartments for eight days.”

Several challenges persist despite the business growth.

Capital requirements remain a major obstacle for young entrepreneurs wanting to establish furnished apartments.

“Setting up even one quality apartment requires substantial investment.”

Security also presents ongoing concerns. Occasionally household items disappear after guests leave. Managing multiple apartments requires constant supervision.”

To reduce risks, some properties have installed CCTV cameras in common areas while others require guests to produce national identification documents before checking in.

Mukoya said balancing affordability and security remains a delicate exercise because customers have varying financial abilities.

“We serve both budget-conscious travellers and high-end clients. Concentrating only on expensive neighbourhoods would lock out many potential customers.”

He remains hopeful about the future of the short-term rental business.

His advice to young entrepreneurs is to embrace digital opportunities and focus on building trust.

“I encourage young people to explore Airbnb management and other digital businesses. If you learn how to market your services effectively, you can succeed even without owning expensive assets.”

He also stresses the importance of selecting suitable locations.

“Location is everything. You may have an excellent apartment, but if it is inaccessible or inconvenient, attracting guests becomes much harder.”

This model holds particular relevance for South Sudan, where young entrepreneurs face similar capital constraints but can draw lessons from Kisumu’s digital-driven accommodation sector.

South Sudan’s growing urban centres and returning diaspora are creating fresh demand for short-term furnished rentals that young people can service without owning property.