Kakamega
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Overview
Annual Rev
KSh150.6k
12 mo avg
↓12%
from prior 12 mo
Occupancy rate
🔒 1•%
12 mo avg
••.•%
from prior 12 mo
Avg daily rate
🔒 KSh3•••
12 mo avg
••.•%
from prior 12 mo
Lead time
8 days
12 mo avg
↓3 days
from prior 12 mo
Revpar
KSh267
12 mo avg
↓41%
from prior 12 mo
Methodology note: Figures reflect Kakamega market data as of June 2026. Data covers Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com listings. Values are seasonally influenced; rounding applied for readability.
Revenue per listing by bedroom
Bedroom count:
0
1
2
3
4+
Short-term rental supply growth
Performance metrics by bedroom
Bedrooms
Annual Rev
Supply
Revenue boost by amenity
No amenity impact data available.
Nightly rate by day of week
Occupancy rate by day of week
Listings by channel
Listings by rental type
Listings by amenities
Listings by size
4+ bedrooms (0%)
Listings by availability
Length of stay by bedroom
1 bedroom (14.1 nights)
4+ bedrooms (8.5 nights)
Cleaning fee by bedroom
1 bedroom (KES 0)
4+ bedrooms (KES 0)
Professional host share
Independent hosts (100%)
Professionally managed (0%)
As of June 2026, Kakamega, Kisumu, Eldoret have 181 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 9% increase from the previous year.
The average Airbnb or VRBO in Kakamega generates KES68K per year. High-performing properties earn KES418K/year, while low-performing properties earn KES22K/year. This massive revenue variance suggests a market polarized between premium assets capturing niche demand and a large volume of listings struggling to secure consistent bookings.
Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Kakamega. Average annual revenue is KES68K with 4% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to KES418K/year. The low average occupancy implies that profitability is highly concentrated, reflecting a market where only a small fraction of inventory effectively converts local demand.
The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Kakamega is 4%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of KES5K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of KES172 per day.
4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Kakamega, with annual revenue of KES143K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Kakamega market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.
Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Kakamega area. Kakamega: Lenient. No specific short-term rental regulations. General business permits may apply but rarely enforced. Minimal oversight. Kisumu: Lenient. Basic business registration recommended. No STR-specific rules or caps. Light enforcement, hosts operate freely. Eldoret: Lenient. County business permits suggested but not STR-specific. No occupancy restrictions. Minimal enforcement, informal operations common. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.
The Kakamega Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing increasingly competitive conditions. Supply has grown 9% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 36%. This indicates growing competition requiring strong operations. The negative revenue trend alongside rising supply signals an oversaturated environment where market share is becoming harder to maintain.
Launch around September, 2-3 months before peak winter season (December peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -55% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (September-February) when gaining traction is harder.
The most common amenities in Kakamega listings include: Washing Machine (100%), Tv (67%), Air Conditioning (33%), Pets Allowed (33%), Pool (33%).
Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Kakamega over the last 12 months: May: KES5K, June: KES4K, July: KES6K, August: KES6K, September: KES4K, October: KES4K, November: KES5K, December: KES13K, January: KES6K, February: KES2K, March: KES3K, April: KES5K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.
The overall average nightly rate in Kakamega is KES5K, up 18% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average KES2K/night, 2-bedroom properties average KES4K/night, 3-bedroom properties average KES5K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average KES6K/night. Rates peak in May and are lowest in February.
Guests in Kakamega book an average of 11 days in advance, down 2% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 8 days, 2-bedroom: 9 days, 3-bedroom: 8 days, 4+ bedroom: 8 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.
Over the past year, the Kakamega Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 9%, revenue per listing decreased 36%, occupancy fell 38%, average nightly rates increased 18%, and lead time decreased 2%. These metrics reveal a contraction where higher pricing attempts are failing to offset the sharp drop in utilization.
In Kakamega, Friday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekends show 12% higher occupancy than weekdays.