Eighth acre (1/8 acre)

Kenyan land is marketed in fractions of an acre: eighth acres, quarter acres, half acres and acres. The eighth acre is the standard residential plot in most estates and satellite towns.

The gap. By the market convention, eight 50 by 100 plots make an acre. In fact, eight 50 by 100 plots add up to a little less than an acre, and that is before any land is set aside for roads. So a plot sold as "an eighth acre" that measures 50 by 100 feet is smaller than a true eighth of an acre. The figures box gives both areas.

Most of the time this is simply how the market talks, not a trick. But it matters when you compare prices per acre, when you subdivide, and when you check the area on the title. Titles and official searches give the area in hectares, so convert before you pay.

A quarter acre works the same way: it is usually sold as two 50 by 100 plots side by side, which again is a little less than a true quarter acre.

Prices per acre. Because of the gap, the price of eight 50 by 100 plots is not quite the price of a full acre of land. When you compare a plot price with a price per acre, or with land sold in hectares, convert both to the same unit first. The figures box gives the areas you need.