Mark Mansa takes ordinary Kenyans into homes of the wealthy on YouTube

Mark Muiruri, popularly known as Mark Mansa, is one of a handful of young people who, through social media, are giving ordinary Kenyans detailed insights into homes previously accessed only by the wealthy. He tours properties with a camera crew for his YouTube channel Mansa Plus, which has more than 112,000 subscribers.

He has documented polished wooden floors, soaring ceilings, panelled walls, lush landscapes, private golf-putting sections, koi ponds and infinity pools. The 34-year-old marketing graduate from Kinangop is not a wealthy buyer himself.

Videos by the enthusiast hiker and long-distance runner attract thousands of views and inspire hundreds of comments, mostly in awe of the properties. His most viewed episode is of a Sh47 million house in Kahawa Sukari, which has 707,000 views.

The most expensive house he has showcased is valued at Sh400 million, or about 3.1 million dollars, and has drawn 407,000 views. Kenya has only about 6,800 dollar millionaires, meaning most viewers watch for entertainment or aspiration rather than as potential buyers.

“We do not have many Kenyans who can afford that property, but we do have many Kenyans who are aspirational. So they watch this from a point of view that I would love that someday,” Mark said. He also notes that many people seek ideas on how to set up their own homes, even on a lower budget.

Developers benefit from the exposure even when most viewers are not immediate buyers. Mark describes the relationship as symbiotic. Many developers lack substantial marketing budgets for high-value properties, and the videos help fill that gap.

The placement of properties on YouTube and other platforms widens the net for potential buyers, including those in the diaspora. Real estate consultant Johnson Ndenge said agents often view the content and then repackage it for clients who may be buying to live in or as an investment.

Other real estate YouTubers in the country include Fine Urban Real Estate, African Real Estate and Martin Properties. Fine Urban Construction and Interiors, which collaborates with Ugandan socialite Zari Hassan, has the largest following at 153,000 subscribers.

Earnings from YouTube alone are limited in the Kenyan market because advertisement rates are lower than in Europe or the United States. This has led Mansa Plus to evolve into a realtor that sells featured houses for a commission.

“As African content creators, we don’t make much from subscriptions, but it’s enough to keep the business running. The majority of the money will come from working with brands in real estate and selling the houses,” Mark said.

He started five years ago. His first video attracted only 56 views, mostly from family and friends. He faced rejection from developers and low confidence because of his accent, but persisted because of genuine passion.

Chinese developers were the first to open their projects to him and suggested commission arrangements. Over time he formed a realtor company through which he sells houses to viewers who make contact. Developers now pay facilitation fees that cover production costs.

He has invested more than Sh2 million in production equipment, a sharp contrast to his early videos shot on a mobile phone. Background checks on developers are carried out to ensure he works only with those who deliver their projects.