Top 47 Best Places in Kenya to Invest in Airbnb & Short-Term Rentals (2026)

Source: AirROI

Last updated: 2026-02-01

Unlock high-ROI opportunities in Kenya‘s booming short-term rental (STR) market. This 2026 Airbnb investment guide from AirROI leverages cutting-edge Airbnb data analytics to pinpoint the most profitable cities for Airbnb and vacation rental entrepreneurs. Whether you’re scaling your portfolio or making your first STR investment, discover markets with strong rental demand, high revenue potential, and favorable regulations. We are committed to providing trustworthy insights based on comprehensive market analysis, and you can learn more about our rigorous approach to data accuracy.

Our STR market analysis dives deep into key performance indicators like monthly revenue, average daily rates (ADR), occupancy trends, property counts, and regulatory landscapes across Kenya. We go beyond simple rankings to provide the context you need for informed investment decisions using reliable Airbnb data.

Explore the data-driven insights below to identify the premier short-term rental investment hotspots and high ROI Airbnb markets in Kenya for 2026.

Top Short-Term Rental Markets in Kenya

Rank:#1Market:NairobiCountry:KenyaProperties:3,988Monthly Revenue:$351.58Daily Rate (ADR):$54.64Occupancy:32.60%Regulation:Low
Rank:#2Market:Ukunda wardCountry:KenyaProperties:307Monthly Revenue:$1144.27Daily Rate (ADR):$138.19Occupancy:32.01%Regulation:Low
Rank:#3Market:MombasaCountry:KenyaProperties:300Monthly Revenue:$281.43Daily Rate (ADR):$57.52Occupancy:27.24%Regulation:Low
Rank:#4Market:ziwa La Ng'ombe wardCountry:KenyaProperties:273Monthly Revenue:$447.91Daily Rate (ADR):$82.96Occupancy:25.93%Regulation:Low
Rank:#5Market:Gombato Bongwe wardCountry:KenyaProperties:233Monthly Revenue:$851.83Daily Rate (ADR):$111.92Occupancy:30.23%Regulation:Low
Rank:#6Market:Watamu wardCountry:KenyaProperties:222Monthly Revenue:$884.68Daily Rate (ADR):$161.53Occupancy:27.97%Regulation:Low
Rank:#7Market:Shanzu wardCountry:KenyaProperties:217Monthly Revenue:$328.33Daily Rate (ADR):$58.71Occupancy:26.54%Regulation:Low
Rank:#8Market:NanyukiCountry:KenyaProperties:182Monthly Revenue:$404.88Daily Rate (ADR):$122.88Occupancy:19.91%Regulation:Low
Rank:#9Market:Kinondo wardCountry:KenyaProperties:176Monthly Revenue:$1179.47Daily Rate (ADR):$175.61Occupancy:30.42%Regulation:Low
Rank:#10Market:KisumuCountry:KenyaProperties:172Monthly Revenue:$184.37Daily Rate (ADR):$44.35Occupancy:23.54%Regulation:Low
Rank:#11Market:MalindiCountry:KenyaProperties:117Monthly Revenue:$523.13Daily Rate (ADR):$124.74Occupancy:28.28%Regulation:Low
Rank:#12Market:NakuruCountry:KenyaProperties:116Monthly Revenue:$128.21Daily Rate (ADR):$46.12Occupancy:17.82%Regulation:Low
Rank:#13Market:Dabaso wardCountry:KenyaProperties:106Monthly Revenue:$1899.25Daily Rate (ADR):$188.81Occupancy:38.69%Regulation:Low
Rank:#14Market:Shella wardCountry:KenyaProperties:103Monthly Revenue:$1558.54Daily Rate (ADR):$217.38Occupancy:30.85%Regulation:Low
Rank:#15Market:Shella wardCountry:KenyaProperties:77Monthly Revenue:$399.77Daily Rate (ADR):$95.72Occupancy:29.82%Regulation:Low
Rank:#16Market:KilifiCountry:KenyaProperties:74Monthly Revenue:$668.95Daily Rate (ADR):$105.39Occupancy:26.19%Regulation:Low
Rank:#17Market:Ndenderu wardCountry:KenyaProperties:73Monthly Revenue:$163.93Daily Rate (ADR):$32.04Occupancy:30.32%Regulation:Low
Rank:#18Market:Syokimau-Mulolongo wardCountry:KenyaProperties:68Monthly Revenue:$256.06Daily Rate (ADR):$49.70Occupancy:24.12%Regulation:Low
Rank:#19Market:Kiambu Township wardCountry:KenyaProperties:60Monthly Revenue:$162.81Daily Rate (ADR):$34.61Occupancy:29.50%Regulation:Low
Rank:#20Market:SyokimauCountry:KenyaProperties:60Monthly Revenue:$177.68Daily Rate (ADR):$36.90Occupancy:26.08%Regulation:Low
Rank:#21Market:WatamuCountry:KenyaProperties:59Monthly Revenue:$847.98Daily Rate (ADR):$144.76Occupancy:32.20%Regulation:Low
Rank:#22Market:Diani BeachCountry:KenyaProperties:57Monthly Revenue:$656.65Daily Rate (ADR):$124.49Occupancy:26.98%Regulation:Low
Rank:#23Market:Shimo La Tewa wardCountry:KenyaProperties:56Monthly Revenue:$194.44Daily Rate (ADR):$51.20Occupancy:23.20%Regulation:Low
Rank:#24Market:Junju wardCountry:KenyaProperties:49Monthly Revenue:$883.39Daily Rate (ADR):$219.05Occupancy:21.63%Regulation:Low
Rank:#25Market:Kadzandani wardCountry:KenyaProperties:47Monthly Revenue:$126.94Daily Rate (ADR):$27.04Occupancy:25.81%Regulation:Low
Rank:#26Market:Viwandani wardCountry:KenyaProperties:47Monthly Revenue:$924.38Daily Rate (ADR):$84.35Occupancy:26.22%Regulation:Low
Rank:#27Market:Gitothua wardCountry:KenyaProperties:39Monthly Revenue:$182.09Daily Rate (ADR):$37.66Occupancy:31.79%Regulation:Low
Rank:#28Market:Mkomami wardCountry:KenyaProperties:37Monthly Revenue:$521.34Daily Rate (ADR):$98.16Occupancy:25.94%Regulation:Low
Rank:#29Market:Hells Gate wardCountry:KenyaProperties:36Monthly Revenue:$704.16Daily Rate (ADR):$151.17Occupancy:17.98%Regulation:Low
Rank:#30Market:Olkaria wardCountry:KenyaProperties:36Monthly Revenue:$1888.00Daily Rate (ADR):$201.65Occupancy:32.31%Regulation:Low
Rank:#31Market:Sabaki wardCountry:KenyaProperties:34Monthly Revenue:$217.82Daily Rate (ADR):$64.29Occupancy:22.66%Regulation:Low
Rank:#32Market:Malewa West wardCountry:KenyaProperties:34Monthly Revenue:$1192.32Daily Rate (ADR):$209.66Occupancy:24.06%Regulation:Low
Rank:#33Market:Racecourse wardCountry:KenyaProperties:33Monthly Revenue:$116.67Daily Rate (ADR):$48.84Occupancy:18.16%Regulation:Low
Rank:#34Market:NaivashaCountry:KenyaProperties:32Monthly Revenue:$205.72Daily Rate (ADR):$106.79Occupancy:16.60%Regulation:Low
Rank:#35Market:Lake View wardCountry:KenyaProperties:31Monthly Revenue:$325.06Daily Rate (ADR):$70.25Occupancy:18.65%Regulation:Low
Rank:#36Market:Mnarani wardCountry:KenyaProperties:30Monthly Revenue:$1947.77Daily Rate (ADR):$231.14Occupancy:31.26%Regulation:Low
Rank:#37Market:Mtepeni wardCountry:KenyaProperties:30Monthly Revenue:$434.30Daily Rate (ADR):$132.13Occupancy:20.56%Regulation:Low
Rank:#38Market:Malindi Town wardCountry:KenyaProperties:27Monthly Revenue:$148.47Daily Rate (ADR):$61.29Occupancy:22.15%Regulation:Low
Rank:#39Market:Tudor wardCountry:KenyaProperties:27Monthly Revenue:$256.00Daily Rate (ADR):$60.93Occupancy:27.61%Regulation:Low
Rank:#40Market:LamuCountry:KenyaProperties:24Monthly Revenue:$799.52Daily Rate (ADR):$102.91Occupancy:28.36%Regulation:Low
Rank:#41Market:Matathani wardCountry:KenyaProperties:23Monthly Revenue:$40.36Daily Rate (ADR):$43.48Occupancy:16.66%Regulation:Low
Rank:#42Market:MeruCountry:KenyaProperties:23Monthly Revenue:$93.77Daily Rate (ADR):$47.85Occupancy:16.36%Regulation:Low
Rank:#43Market:Kimana wardCountry:KenyaProperties:22Monthly Revenue:$615.46Daily Rate (ADR):$125.77Occupancy:20.43%Regulation:Low
Rank:#44Market:NyeriCountry:KenyaProperties:21Monthly Revenue:$217.41Daily Rate (ADR):$80.42Occupancy:15.68%Regulation:Low
Rank:#45Market:EldoretCountry:KenyaProperties:20Monthly Revenue:$45.81Daily Rate (ADR):$34.27Occupancy:15.23%Regulation:Low
Rank:#46Market:Ongata Rongai wardCountry:KenyaProperties:19Monthly Revenue:$92.95Daily Rate (ADR):$38.63Occupancy:22.34%Regulation:Low
Rank:#47Market:Kapsoya wardCountry:KenyaProperties:19Monthly Revenue:$83.85Daily Rate (ADR):$34.44Occupancy:19.28%Regulation:Low

Our Data-Driven Methodology for STR Market Analysis

At AirROI, our market rankings and insights are powered by a robust methodology combining comprehensive Airbnb data collection with sophisticated STR analytics techniques. We strive to provide the most accurate and actionable intelligence for short-term rental investors.

Data Collection & Scope

  • Global Coverage: We aggregate STR data from tens of millions of active short-term rental listings across platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo worldwide.
  • Real-Time Metrics: Our systems track key performance indicators (KPIs) daily, including booking rates, nightly pricing (ADR), occupancy rates, and revenue.
  • Regulatory Monitoring: We actively monitor and incorporate local short-term rental regulations, licensing requirements, and tax obligations into our market analysis.

Analysis & Ranking

  • Proprietary Algorithms: AI and machine learning models analyze booking patterns, predict seasonal demand shifts, and identify emerging market trends in the STR space.
  • Key Metric Evaluation: We evaluate markets based on a weighted combination of critical investment factors using our extensive Airbnb analytics:
    • Revenue Potential: Average Monthly Revenue and Average Daily Rate (ADR).
    • Market Demand: Occupancy Rate and booking lead times.
    • Investment Scale: Number of active properties and market growth trends.
    • Regulatory Environment: Assessed impact of local STR regulations on operational feasibility and profitability.
  • Benchmarking: Performance is benchmarked against regional and global averages to provide context for vacation rental investment potential.

Key Metrics Explained

  • Properties: The count of active short-term rental listings in the market.
  • Monthly Revenue: Average revenue generated per property per month, a key indicator for Airbnb profitability.
  • Daily Rate (ADR): Average nightly booking price.
  • Occupancy: Percentage of nights booked out of total available nights, crucial for understanding STR demand.
  • Regulation: An indicator of the local regulatory climate impacting Airbnb investment.

This rigorous approach ensures our recommendations are based on real-world performance Airbnb data and forward-looking market analysis, empowering you to invest smarter in the vacation rental market.

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This report is powered by our industry-leading Airbnb Data API, providing direct access to live short-term rental data from global markets like Kenya. Use this data to build powerful analytics tools, discover investment opportunities, and inform your vacation rental strategy.

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