From The Chair's Desk
Ms. Eunice Macharia

Matters of land and housing are central to our lives. Estate agency is one of the professions that everybody gets involved in at one time or another, mainly as a user of the estate agents’ services. We all live in houses, whether owned or leased. At one time or another, you will deal with a property agent to buy land, buy or rent a home, buy or lease an office or for other business premises. It is more so in urban areas where many residents live and work in leased properties managed through estate agents. The real estate industry also makes a significant contribution to the country’s GPD. Therefore, the estate agency becomes a vital profession that requires appropriately trained and regulated agents to protect the rights and interests of developers, sellers, buyers, tenants and landlords, and the country’s interests.
The Estate Agents Act, Cap 533 of the Laws of Kenya regulates estate agents in Kenya. As per the ACT provisions, the Board has the responsibility of registering Estate Agents and ensuring their competence and conduct are of high standards for the good and protection of the public interest.
One way of achieving this is to bring all the players in the real estate industry together under one roof to discuss matters of real estate. The Board has therefore planned to hold Annual Estate Agents’ conferences from now on. Among the targeted players are the relevant ministries of Land and Physical Planning, Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works, real estate firms dealing with property and facilities management and property agency, financial institutions, industry regulators, property developers, suppliers, training institutions, other consultants in real estate and other stakeholders in the real estate industry.
A key challenge to the development and performance of an estate agency is the ever-evolving technology. Emerging technologies and shifting demographics have begun to shake up the real estate industry and influence all aspects of traditional real estate development and transactions. As a Board, we would wish that our agents are at the forefront of technological development, active players in developing solutions to the industry, and up to date on the new and relevant technological developments. This year’s conference’s primary focus is on “Redefining the Future of Estate Agency” in the ever-changing technological world, coined “The Fourth Industrial Revolution”.
The conference will create a forum where the players can converge to share experiences and explore the future of real estate. I want to welcome all our delegates, sponsors and partners to years’ conference to learn from each other as we create strong partnerships for all our benefit. Together we are stronger!