Nairobi, Aug. 5 -- Land prices in Karen and Langata grew at the fastest pace among Nairobi's suburbs and satellite towns in the year to June after a change in policy allowed construction of high-rise buildings in sections of the estate.

HassConsult, a real estate firm that tracks rents and property prices, says the cost of an acre in Karen rose 10 percent to Sh79.5 million in the period to June while Langata recorded a 9.8 percent growth to Sh94.7 million.

The consultancy linked the surge to the recently published Nairobi City County Development Control Policy 2026, which changed the zoning rules allowing for high density dwellings.

It allowed for four storeyed buildings along the Karen Triangle - the intersection of Ngong Road, Karen ...