πŸ‡¦πŸ‡ͺ For Kenyans in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & the Gulf

Your Tatu City apartment - purchased and earning rent while you work in the Gulf.

Gulf-based Kenyans have some of the highest savings rates in the diaspora - and often the most time pressure: visas expire, contracts end. Unity Parkside lets you plant a lasting asset in Kenya while you're still in the UAE. Here's how to do it safely from Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Unity Homes has confirmed diaspora events in Dubai. Check their calendar for upcoming Gulf dates.

Why Gulf-based Kenyans are buying in Tatu City

Kenyans working in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia often earn tax-free salaries, save hard, and send remittances home. But remittances disappear into family expenses without building long-term wealth. A documented apartment - earning rent - compounds differently.

The AED is pegged to the USD. At approximately AED 3.67 per USD and KES 130 per USD, KSh 10.8M translates to roughly AED 305,000 (β‰ˆ USD 83,000) for a 2-bed apartment with pool and gym access inside Africa's most-invested SEZ.

UAE residents often have advantages over US/UK buyers for KMRC mortgage assessment: a documented, tax-free salary in USD is straightforward to convert to a KES equivalent for income verification. If you earn USD 1,000+/month (roughly equivalent to KSh 130,000+), you may be near the KMRC threshold - confirm with Unity's partner lenders.

Exchange rate note: AED/KES rates move. AED 305,000 is illustrative - check the live rate before any financial calculation.

What AED buys at Tatu City (illustrative)

Unit KSh ~AED
2-bed (from) 10.8M ~AED 305,000
Based on approx. KES 130/USD, AED 3.67/USD - verify current rates

Illustrative only. Verify current pricing with Unity.

Unity Dubai events

Unity Homes has held Dubai diaspora events. Check their international calendar for upcoming Gulf dates.

View Dubai events β†’

How to buy from the UAE - step by step

The purchase process mirrors other diaspora buyers, with UAE-specific steps for notarisation, transfer routes, and income documentation.

1

Request property details and confirm your unit

Get Unity's current price list and floor plans. Confirm row (A or B), size, and what balcony configuration is available in your budget.

Request Details β†’
2

Hire an independent Kenyan advocate

Use the LSK directory to find your own conveyancing advocate before signing anything. lsk.or.ke β†’

3

Prepare your Power of Attorney - UAE notarisation & attestation

In the UAE, POAs for use in foreign countries are typically signed before a UAE Notary Public and then attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), then by the Kenyan Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

The exact attestation chain may vary - your Kenyan advocate will specify the precise requirements. Allow 1-3 weeks for attestation. Kenyan Embassy Abu Dhabi: kenyaembassy.ae

4

Wire transfer from UAE (AED or USD)

UAE banks (Emirates NBD, FAB, ADCB, Mashreq) all support international SWIFT transfers. The AED is pegged to USD so there are no exchange rate risk between AED and USD - but KES/USD fluctuates. Transfers typically take 2-5 business days.

Confirm Unity's bank account details by calling +254 701 550 550 before any transfer. Never act on bank details received only by email.

5

Gather UAE income documentation for KMRC assessment

If applying for a KMRC mortgage, you will need to document your UAE income. Typically required: your UAE employment contract (salary certificate), 6 months of UAE bank statements, and passport/residency documents. Your KMRC-affiliated lender will specify the exact requirements.

6

Handover & rental income (Q2-Q4 2027)

At handover, your POA representative collects the keys. Unity's tenant placement service targets 4-6 weeks. Your rent is then managed and remitted - confirm the remittance arrangement with Unity and your property manager.

UAE to Kenya: transfer options

The UAE has one of the world's most efficient international transfer ecosystems due to its large expatriate population. For property-scale transfers, use your UAE bank's SWIFT wire rather than a consumer remittance app.

Transfer options

  • βœ”
    Bank SWIFT wire Best for large amounts. Full paper trail for tax and title records.
  • βœ”
    Wise Business (for smaller instalments) Lower fees than banks, but check transaction limits for property-scale amounts.
  • βœ”
    Al Ansari / UAE Exchange For smaller supplementary transfers - not recommended as sole route for full property payment.

For the full purchase amount, a SWIFT bank wire provides the most secure paper trail and is what your Kenyan advocate will require for the transaction record.

🚫 Always call Unity to verify account details before wiring BEC fraud (fake account swaps via email) is global. Call +254 701 550 550 before every transfer, regardless of how legitimate the email looks.
🚫 UAE banks may request AML documentation for large Kenya transfers Have your Sale Agreement and Unity's company registration number ready to show your bank's compliance team if asked.
🚫 Confirm currency: does Unity accept USD or KSh only? Clarify whether Unity can invoice in USD (AED-friendly) or requires KSh, and what FX conversion rate they apply if they convert on receipt.

Questions from Kenyans in the Gulf

Yes - your ability to buy Kenyan property is not dependent on your UAE visa status. Property ownership in Kenya is based on your Kenyan citizenship (or your eligibility as a foreign national). The purchase process can be completed while you're still in the UAE or after you return to Kenya. However, if your UAE visa is expiring and you plan to return to Kenya, the instalment plan may be more manageable - discuss timing with Unity.
Potentially. KMRC-affiliated lenders assess diaspora income on a case-by-case basis. You'll typically need: a UAE salary certificate from your employer (often called a salary slip or employment letter), UAE bank statements for 3-6 months, and proof of Kenyan citizenship. The lender converts your AED/USD income to KES equivalent. Confirm exact requirements with Unity's partner banks before assuming you qualify.
As of our research, Kenya and the UAE do not have a comprehensive Double Tax Agreement (DTA) in force. Rental income from a Kenyan property earned by a UAE resident Kenyan citizen is typically assessable in Kenya. The UAE does not levy personal income tax, so there are generally no double taxation - but you should confirm your specific situation with a tax professional familiar with both jurisdictions. This is general information, not tax advice.
Based on our research, Unity Homes has a dedicated Dubai events page on their website confirming past UAE diaspora events: unityhomes.co.ke. Whether they have upcoming Dubai events, check their international sales calendar. Attending an in-person event before committing is strongly recommended.
Yes, and we'd encourage it if your schedule allows. Tatu City is accessible - 30 minutes from Nairobi CBD and 45 minutes from JKIA. Unity Homes offers site visits. If you're passing through Nairobi before returning to the UAE (or on annual leave), schedule a visit before committing. Seeing the site, the completed earlier Unity phases, and the surrounding Tatu City infrastructure gives significantly more confidence than photos alone.
If you return to Kenya, you can either: move into your apartment yourself (ending the tenancy at the appropriate notice period), continue renting it out for income, or sell it. Sectional title apartments in Kenya can be sold on the open market - the title is in your name and is fully transferable. Capital gains tax applies on sale (currently 15% on net gains in Kenya - confirm the current rate with your advocate).

Guides for other countries

Plant your Kenya asset - while you're still earning in the Gulf

Request Unity's current price list, floor plans, and payment options. No commitment required.