Great things are often born in the most unlikely of places, and the story behind the founder and director of Big Block Properties is no exception. Starting out as a teacher, Samuel Keru’s early career seems far removed from his current status as one of Kenya’s biggest real estate moguls. His remarkable journey from the classroom to running one of the most trusted real estate companies in the country is truly inspiring.

Although he loved teaching, Samuel Keru always knew he desired more from life. After resigning from Elite School in Nyahururu, he joined Pioneer School in Murang’a County. It was during his transition that a pivotal conversation with Peter Munga, founder of Equity Bank, changed his outlook on life.

 

“Mr. Munga drove me from Nairobi to Pioneer School, and the encounter completely shifted my worldview. He told me to dream big and aim to make a significant contribution to society. He emphasized that success comes from solving challenges facing the community,” recalls Mr. Keru.

 

The Entrepreneurial Spark

Upon joining his new workplace, Keru’s entrepreneurial spirit was rekindled. Many of his new colleagues had invested in various sectors of the economy and shared their business insights with him. This fanned the flames of his growing desire to venture into business.

Keru tried his hand at various enterprises, including the matatu business, but most of his ventures didn’t pan out as he had hoped. Life threw hurdles in his way, and his capital quickly dwindled. Despite these setbacks, his determination remained undeterred, and he continued exploring new ideas until his breakthrough came.

In 2009, Mr. Munina, a fellow teacher, introduced Keru to the land-selling business. Munina had noticed a growing demand for land around Kenol, where many people wanted to settle but feared falling victim to fraud. This advice reminded Keru of the lessons from Peter Munga: “to succeed in business, one must address a real societal need...”

Keru decided to be the one to provide affordable land with genuine title deeds around Kenol Township. Using the proceeds from selling his matatu, he pooled resources with Munina to purchase half an acre of land, which they subdivided into six plots. However, the land-selling business turned out to be more challenging than he had anticipated. For two years, despite offering plots at a discounted price of Ksh 150,000 each, Keru couldn’t make a single sale.

 

The Turning Point

His fortunes began to change in 2011 when a former colleague, Mr. Kahura, offered to trade his Toyota 110 car for one of Keru’s plots. With the car, Keru could now comfortably drive potential customers to view the plots. This seemingly small improvement boosted his credibility, and soon after, he made two sales.

The success rejuvenated Keru’s spirits, and he partnered with Munina once again to purchase more land. Sales started becoming more regular, and inquiries from interested buyers increased steadily.

The most significant moment of Keru’s breakthrough came when Equity Bank introduced a staff land ownership loan scheme. Under this arrangement, sellers transferred land to Equity Bank staff members before receiving payment. Although many sellers were skeptical, Keru decided to take the risk and sell plots to Equity Bank staff.

His decision paid off. With the help of a Customer Referral Program, which rewarded customers who introduced others to the plots, Keru quickly sold several parcels of land. His reputation as a trusted land seller grew, and by 2015, he had built a name for himself as the leading land seller in Kenol.

With his business booming, Keru resigned from teaching to focus entirely on real estate. In 2021, he officially incorporated Big Block Properties to ensure the longevity of his business and create employment opportunities. The company now has 25 employees and operates in several areas, including Kenol, Kabati, Makuyu, and Mwea.

 

Building Big Block Properties

Starting a real estate company wasn’t easy, but for Keru, it was about more than just selling land. He aimed to build trust with his clients by providing transparent and dependable services. Over the last 15 years, Big Block Properties has become one of Kenya’s most reliable real estate companies. They have issued over 1,200 title deeds, with most transfers taking less than a month—a key factor in their growing reputation for efficiency and reliability.

In the competitive real estate market, Big Block Properties quickly stood out. In 2024, the company received the prestigious *Super Realtors Award* for being the ‘Most Trustworthy Brand in Title Deed Issuance in Kenya.’ Over the years, the company has also earned numerous other awards, cementing its reputation for high-quality services.

The secret to Big Block Properties’ success lies in Mr. Keru’s vision. He foresaw the rapid development in Kenol and Makutano long before others did and made timely investments in these areas. As land prices in these towns skyrocketed due to infrastructure expansion, Big Block Properties’ investments paid off handsomely.

Beyond selling land, the company goes the extra mile by adding value to the plots they sell. They ensure clients aren’t just buying land but investing in their future. The company enhances existing infrastructure and ensures essential services like water and electricity are available.

Despite no longer being in the classroom, Keru hasn’t forgotten his roots. Through Big Block Properties, he gives back to the education sector by sponsoring schools, supporting infrastructure projects, and offering scholarships to students in need. For Keru, giving back is a way to honor where he came from and help others succeed.

Reflecting on his journey from a teacher to a successful real estate mogul, Keru remains grateful for the challenges and risks he faced along the way.

 “I thank God for bringing me this far. It has been an exciting journey fraught with risks and challenges, but worth it nonetheless. I’ve come to appreciate that with a focused mindset and a desire to prosper, the sky is the limit,” he concludes.