From an Errand’s Boy to a Thriving entrepreneur – Peter Nyaga’s Journey to Build Kenya’s Leading Affordable Homes Company

The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight. But they, while their companion slept were toiling upward in the night. Peter Nyaga, the CEO of Mahiga Homes, can attest to the above statement as a perfect explanation to his life in the business world.

He is known in Kenya as the master of affordable homes, an expert in delivering value; strict to timelines and succeeding where others failed. As you might expect from someone with that kind of reputation, Peter didn’t start his career thinking this was where he’d end up.

Early in his high school days, he could sell biscuits and sweets to his friends thus getting profit in the long run, an antidote for survival.

Immediately after completing his secondary education, he asked to volunteer in his brother’s land selling company as an errand’s boy.  As an errand boy, Peter could be given some cash to attend to official duties and other minor tasks delegated to him. His brother’s firm was involved in selling plots, renting houses and offices.

“I wanted to get experience in Real Estate. I knew as an errands boy he could give me fare, and also, I had relatives in Nairobi so somewhere to sleep was not a problem. If I had fare and somewhere to sleep, the rest would sort itself.”

Within three months of being a messenger his brother allowed him to start attending to clients that came to the company according to Nyaga this was a nice move indeed. This opportunity enabled him to get much exposure, network and establish contacts with the clientele who came by.

Within 6 months, Peter made his first million, gotten enough experience to start his real estate firm and started planning his exit plan – which materialized within the next 7 months and quit his brother’s firm to start his own firm. According to him he had gained the necessary skills that he was in need of to run his own company.

His brother was skeptical about his move. In his argument, the brother viewed Peter as too young and inexperienced. However, our hero had made up his mind and nothing was going to deter him from his mission. To him, all he wanted to venture into business and in case he failed he could have gained practical entrepreneurship experience and learn. Success favours the bold. As well he had this burning ambition to be his own boss. It was a hard move to make but later on he would gasp it was worth it.

Through the contacts and networks, he created at his brother’s company, it was easier for Peter to start and build his firm. For three years, he sold plots before venturing into construction where he could build houses on a need basis. “I could build houses for people who had plots and needed to build homes on them.”

In 2017 after the government shared the idea of affordable homes for Kenyans, Peter teamed up with his 5 friends to form a company – giving birth to Mahiga Homes in January 2018.

“After doing construction for 3 years, I teamed up with 5 friends whom we together did research and identified a gap in affordable homes. Previously, house prices have been very high and many people could not afford. Many Kenyans would like to own a home but could not afford, that is where Mahiga homes came in – to fill this gap.” Peter says.

With vast experience spanning from construction, real estate, sales and marketing, human resources and organizational leadership, the Mahiga Homes partners (now directors) was a perfect match; indomitable to penetrate a market where many have struggled to make a mark. A coming together to combine ideas, resources and experience.

In less than two years, the company which Peter is the Chief Executive, has delivered 11 projects with 4 already handed over to customers and people living in them. Of the remaining 7 units, 5 have been sold out and construction ongoing with 2 scheduled for handing over before January 2020.

To win clients’ trust, Peter says, the company has kept a tradition of exceeding customers expectations and keeping their promise. “For instance, for our first project, the construction period was 11 months but we were able to complete and hand it over to rightful owners in 7 months. Something no other company has been able to do.”

Before investing, Peter advises one do due diligence on the firm by visiting the development projects, visiting the developers’ offices, contacting previous clients and ask if they can recommend the company. “It is also good to find out if the company is validly registered by the government.”

For his future plans and that of Mahiga Homes, Peter says that they have initiated plans for diversification. To him he does not want to be a player offering the same product. The new plan that is yet to be rolled out he says would be client oriented and advises the market to be on the lookout. “When it happens, everyone will see.”

For Mahiga Homes to be where it today, the entrepreneur credit it to the support their customers.