Know what your Kenyan Airbnb can earn before you list it.
Hosty is a free guide for people starting out or growing as hosts in Nairobi, the coast and beyond. It has two calculators built on published Kenyan market data, the rules every host should know, tips, scam warnings and a community of hosts.
- Work out monthly profit after fees, levy, cleaning and tax
- Find out what to charge for your rooms by city, area and size
- See the legal and tax steps for Kenyan hosts
- Learn to spot and avoid scammers
- Join WhatsApp groups for hosts in your city
Income calculator
Rates and occupancy come from published Kenyan market data, compiled October 2026. Real results vary by listing quality.
Costs and tax assumptions
The 3% fee is the usual split fee, and some hosts pay a higher host-only fee, so check yours in your Airbnb account. The 2% levy is the tourism levy being extended to short-term rentals. Confirm your actual tax rate with KRA or an accountant.
Estimated profit per month
KES 0
What should I charge for my rooms?
Choose where your property is, which area or estate, and how many bedrooms. Hosty shows a low, typical and high nightly price based on what listings in that market actually charge.
Price my rooms
How to use the price you get
- Start near the low end for your first few bookings so you can collect reviews, then move toward the typical price.
- Go to the high end only with excellent photos, strong reviews, reliable Wi-Fi, backup power and a good location inside the area.
- Check the live Airbnb search for your dates near your address and compare three to five similar places before you publish.
- For stays of a week or a month, a discount on the nightly rate is common. Work out your profit at the lower rate in the income calculator first.
For comparison, Kenya Property Centre’s September 2026 index of asking prices for short-let flats in Kenya had medians of KSh 5,300 for one bedroom, KSh 8,300 for two bedrooms and KSh 13,900 for three bedrooms, based on a limited number of listings.
Market rates by city
Average nightly rates and occupancy for short-term rentals in Kenya’s main markets. Rates are in Kenya shillings per night, compiled in October 2026 from the sources listed at the bottom of the page.
| City | 1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms | 4+ bedrooms | Occupancy |
|---|
Nairobi by area
Average nightly rate for Airbnb listings by area, converted from US dollars at about KES 130 to the dollar.
| Area | Average nightly rate |
|---|---|
| Downtown Nairobi | about KES 8,600 |
| Westlands | about KES 7,500 |
| Kilimani | about KES 6,000 |
| Lavington | about KES 5,700 |
| All Nairobi | about KES 5,500 |
Source: Airbtics, January 2026. Kilimani has the most listings in Nairobi, over 1,400, so it is also the most competitive.
How to start hosting in Kenya
Follow these steps in order. Most new hosts can be live within two to three weeks.
Check you are allowed to host
If you rent, get written permission from your landlord. If you own in an apartment block, check the rules of your management company or residents’ association. Do this first, because a complaint can end your listing.
Register and sort your tax details
Get your KRA PIN ready, register with the Tourism Regulatory Authority, and read the Legal and tax section below. Airbnb needs your PIN to pay you without extra withholding.
Choose your area and guest type
Business travellers want Wi-Fi, a desk and a quiet building. Holiday guests want a view, a pool or a short trip to the beach. Pick one and set up the place for them.
Furnish for comfort and easy cleaning
Good mattresses, blackout curtains, hot water that works, reliable Wi-Fi and a backup for power cuts matter more than decoration. Choose durable, washable fabrics.
Take strong photos
Shoot in daylight with a clean, tidy space. Show the bed, living room, kitchen, bathroom, balcony or view, and the building entrance. Add a photo of the backup power or water tank if you have one, as guests value it.
Write the listing and set the price
Lead with what guests care about: location, Wi-Fi speed, security, parking, water and power backup. Use the Price my rooms calculator, and price near the low end for your first few stays to get reviews.
Set house rules and check-in
State clear rules on visitors, noise, smoking and parties. Use a smart lock or key box so you do not need to be present at check-in.
Line up cleaning and a backup
Find a reliable cleaner and a backup. Poor cleaning is the most common reason for bad reviews.
Welcome your first guest and ask for a review
Send directions, check-in steps and Wi-Fi details a day ahead. After checkout, thank them and ask for a review.
City guides
Where demand comes from and what guests expect in each major market. Open a city to read more.
Legal and tax for Kenyan hosts
Tips and tricks for hosts
Pricing
- Check three to five similar listings near you for the same dates before you set a price.
- Expect busy periods around December, August and March in Nairobi, with the coast busiest in December and January.
- Weekends book far better than weekdays in leisure markets such as Nanyuki, so price weekends higher there.
- Review your price every month, not once a year.
Listing and photos
- Put your best photo first. It decides whether people click.
- Mention Wi-Fi speed, backup power, water supply and parking in the title or first lines.
- Be honest about stairs, noise or distance. Honest listings get better reviews.
- Update your photos after any change to the space.
Reviews and guests
- Reply to every review, good or bad, politely and briefly.
- Respond to messages within an hour if you can. It improves your bookings.
- Leave a short guidebook with restaurants, pharmacies, supermarkets and safe ways to get around.
- Fix small issues quickly during a stay.
Cleaning and turnover
- Use a checklist with photos so every clean meets the same standard.
- Keep two full sets of linen and towels so you can turn over a booking the same day.
- Check for damage and missing items after every stay, and take photos.
- Keep spare bulbs, batteries, toiletries and cleaning supplies on site.
Safety and security
- Use a smart lock or change codes between guests.
- Tell your neighbours and building security that you host, and share your contact number.
- Keep a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and emergency numbers visible.
- Never hide a camera inside the space. Disclose any outdoor camera in your listing.
Power, water and Wi-Fi
- Install a backup for power cuts, such as an inverter or a UPS for the router.
- Keep a backup internet option, such as a mobile hotspot, for guests who work.
- Store water in a tank and tell guests how it works.
- Test everything at the start of each stay.
How to avoid scammers
Hosts are targeted by fake guests and fake payments, and so are owners looking for help. These are the most common tricks and how to stop each one.
If you think you are being scammed
- Stop replying and do not send money, codes or personal details.
- Report the guest or message to Airbnb through the app, and keep screenshots.
- If money or an account was taken, contact your bank or mobile money provider straight away, then report to the police.
WhatsApp groups for hosts
Ask questions, share pricing and find cleaners and suppliers with hosts in your city. Tap a group to request an invite.
Be kind, stay on topic and do not share guests’ personal details in any group.
Checklists
Before you list
- Permission from landlord or management
- KRA PIN ready
- Registered with the Tourism Regulatory Authority
- Fire extinguisher and first aid kit
- Reliable Wi-Fi and backup power
- Hot water and water storage
- Smart lock or key box
- Two sets of linen and towels
- Well lit photos of every room
- House rules written
- Cleaner and backup cleaner arranged
- Welcome guide printed or saved
Suppliers to line up
- Cleaning and laundry service
- Photographer
- Handyman and plumber
- Linen and furnishing suppliers
- Smart lock and Wi-Fi installers
- Reliable transport and delivery for guests and supplies
- Accountant who understands rental income
- Insurance cover for the property and contents
Frequently asked questions
Contact Hosty
Questions, a group to add, or data to share? Get in touch.
- Address
- Riverside Drive, Nairobi
- Phone
- +254 703 497 1148
Where the numbers come from
- Airbtics: Nairobi market data and Kenya market review 2025
- BNBCalc: Kenya markets, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Diani, Naivasha and Mount Kenya, with data to June 2026
- AirDNA: Nairobi and Kisumu
- AirROI: Nairobi and Kisumu
- Kenya Property Centre Short-let Index, September 2026 release, used under CC BY 4.0
- Exchange rate: Central Bank of Kenya, KES 129.89 to the US dollar on 7 October 2026
Know what your Kenyan Airbnb can earn before you list it.
Hosty is a free guide for people starting out or growing as hosts in Nairobi, the coast and beyond. It has two calculators built on published Kenyan market data, the rules every host should know, tips, scam warnings and a community of hosts.
- Work out monthly profit after fees, levy, cleaning and tax
- Find out what to charge for your rooms by city, area and size
- See the legal and tax steps for Kenyan hosts
- Learn to spot and avoid scammers
- Join WhatsApp groups for hosts in your city
Income calculator
Rates and occupancy come from published Kenyan market data, compiled October 2026. Real results vary by listing quality.
Costs and tax assumptions
The 3% fee is the usual split fee, and some hosts pay a higher host-only fee, so check yours in your Airbnb account. The 2% levy is the tourism levy being extended to short-term rentals. Confirm your actual tax rate with KRA or an accountant.
Estimated profit per month
KES 0
What should I charge for my rooms?
Choose where your property is, which area or estate, and how many bedrooms. Hosty shows a low, typical and high nightly price based on what listings in that market actually charge.
Price my rooms
How to use the price you get
- Start near the low end for your first few bookings so you can collect reviews, then move toward the typical price.
- Go to the high end only with excellent photos, strong reviews, reliable Wi-Fi, backup power and a good location inside the area.
- Check the live Airbnb search for your dates near your address and compare three to five similar places before you publish.
- For stays of a week or a month, a discount on the nightly rate is common. Work out your profit at the lower rate in the income calculator first.
For comparison, Kenya Property Centre’s September 2026 index of asking prices for short-let flats in Kenya had medians of KSh 5,300 for one bedroom, KSh 8,300 for two bedrooms and KSh 13,900 for three bedrooms, based on a limited number of listings.
Market rates by city
Average nightly rates and occupancy for short-term rentals in Kenya’s main markets. Rates are in Kenya shillings per night, compiled in October 2026 from the sources listed at the bottom of the page.
| City | 1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms | 4+ bedrooms | Occupancy |
|---|
Nairobi by area
Average nightly rate for Airbnb listings by area, converted from US dollars at about KES 130 to the dollar.
| Area | Average nightly rate |
|---|---|
| Downtown Nairobi | about KES 8,600 |
| Westlands | about KES 7,500 |
| Kilimani | about KES 6,000 |
| Lavington | about KES 5,700 |
| All Nairobi | about KES 5,500 |
Source: Airbtics, January 2026. Kilimani has the most listings in Nairobi, over 1,400, so it is also the most competitive.
How to start hosting in Kenya
Follow these steps in order. Most new hosts can be live within two to three weeks.
Check you are allowed to host
If you rent, get written permission from your landlord. If you own in an apartment block, check the rules of your management company or residents’ association. Do this first, because a complaint can end your listing.
Register and sort your tax details
Get your KRA PIN ready, register with the Tourism Regulatory Authority, and read the Legal and tax section below. Airbnb needs your PIN to pay you without extra withholding.
Choose your area and guest type
Business travellers want Wi-Fi, a desk and a quiet building. Holiday guests want a view, a pool or a short trip to the beach. Pick one and set up the place for them.
Furnish for comfort and easy cleaning
Good mattresses, blackout curtains, hot water that works, reliable Wi-Fi and a backup for power cuts matter more than decoration. Choose durable, washable fabrics.
Take strong photos
Shoot in daylight with a clean, tidy space. Show the bed, living room, kitchen, bathroom, balcony or view, and the building entrance. Add a photo of the backup power or water tank if you have one, as guests value it.
Write the listing and set the price
Lead with what guests care about: location, Wi-Fi speed, security, parking, water and power backup. Use the Price my rooms calculator, and price near the low end for your first few stays to get reviews.
Set house rules and check-in
State clear rules on visitors, noise, smoking and parties. Use a smart lock or key box so you do not need to be present at check-in.
Line up cleaning and a backup
Find a reliable cleaner and a backup. Poor cleaning is the most common reason for bad reviews.
Welcome your first guest and ask for a review
Send directions, check-in steps and Wi-Fi details a day ahead. After checkout, thank them and ask for a review.
City guides
Where demand comes from and what guests expect in each major market. Open a city to read more.
Legal and tax for Kenyan hosts
Tips and tricks for hosts
Pricing
- Check three to five similar listings near you for the same dates before you set a price.
- Expect busy periods around December, August and March in Nairobi, with the coast busiest in December and January.
- Weekends book far better than weekdays in leisure markets such as Nanyuki, so price weekends higher there.
- Review your price every month, not once a year.
Listing and photos
- Put your best photo first. It decides whether people click.
- Mention Wi-Fi speed, backup power, water supply and parking in the title or first lines.
- Be honest about stairs, noise or distance. Honest listings get better reviews.
- Update your photos after any change to the space.
Reviews and guests
- Reply to every review, good or bad, politely and briefly.
- Respond to messages within an hour if you can. It improves your bookings.
- Leave a short guidebook with restaurants, pharmacies, supermarkets and safe ways to get around.
- Fix small issues quickly during a stay.
Cleaning and turnover
- Use a checklist with photos so every clean meets the same standard.
- Keep two full sets of linen and towels so you can turn over a booking the same day.
- Check for damage and missing items after every stay, and take photos.
- Keep spare bulbs, batteries, toiletries and cleaning supplies on site.
Safety and security
- Use a smart lock or change codes between guests.
- Tell your neighbours and building security that you host, and share your contact number.
- Keep a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and emergency numbers visible.
- Never hide a camera inside the space. Disclose any outdoor camera in your listing.
Power, water and Wi-Fi
- Install a backup for power cuts, such as an inverter or a UPS for the router.
- Keep a backup internet option, such as a mobile hotspot, for guests who work.
- Store water in a tank and tell guests how it works.
- Test everything at the start of each stay.
How to avoid scammers
Hosts are targeted by fake guests and fake payments, and so are owners looking for help. These are the most common tricks and how to stop each one.
If you think you are being scammed
- Stop replying and do not send money, codes or personal details.
- Report the guest or message to Airbnb through the app, and keep screenshots.
- If money or an account was taken, contact your bank or mobile money provider straight away, then report to the police.
WhatsApp groups for hosts
Ask questions, share pricing and find cleaners and suppliers with hosts in your city. Tap a group to request an invite.
Be kind, stay on topic and do not share guests’ personal details in any group.
Checklists
Before you list
- Permission from landlord or management
- KRA PIN ready
- Registered with the Tourism Regulatory Authority
- Fire extinguisher and first aid kit
- Reliable Wi-Fi and backup power
- Hot water and water storage
- Smart lock or key box
- Two sets of linen and towels
- Well lit photos of every room
- House rules written
- Cleaner and backup cleaner arranged
- Welcome guide printed or saved
Suppliers to line up
- Cleaning and laundry service
- Photographer
- Handyman and plumber
- Linen and furnishing suppliers
- Smart lock and Wi-Fi installers
- Reliable transport and delivery for guests and supplies
- Accountant who understands rental income
- Insurance cover for the property and contents
Frequently asked questions
Contact Hosty
Questions, a group to add, or data to share? Get in touch.
- Address
- Riverside Drive, Nairobi
- Phone
- +254 703 497 1148
Where the numbers come from
- Airbtics: Nairobi market data and Kenya market review 2025
- BNBCalc: Kenya markets, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Diani, Naivasha and Mount Kenya, with data to June 2026
- AirDNA: Nairobi and Kisumu
- AirROI: Nairobi and Kisumu
- Kenya Property Centre Short-let Index, September 2026 release, used under CC BY 4.0
- Exchange rate: Central Bank of Kenya, KES 129.89 to the US dollar on 7 October 2026