Kenyan Entrepreneur in Dubai Unveils Luxurious Skyscraper Project, Igniting Diaspora Envy and Pride

Country: United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Date Published: December 28, 2025

Nairobi, Kenya – A Kenyan real estate mogul based in Dubai has captured the attention of the Kenyan diaspora and social media users after announcing a groundbreaking multi-billion-shilling skyscraper project that promises to redefine the UAE skyline. Eric Kimani, a 38-year-old former Nairobi hustler turned property tycoon, shared stunning renders and construction updates via a viral X thread on December 28, drawing over 50,000 likes and thousands of retweets within hours. Posts from verified Kenyan influencers like @C_NyaKundiH and news account @K24Tv hailed it as a "true rags-to-riches Kenyan dream," while regular users flooded replies with messages of inspiration and light-hearted jealousy.

Kimani's thread detailed how he started with small-scale property flips in Dubai's Jumeirah district eight years ago and scaled up to partner with Emirati investors for the 80-story "Nairobi Towers Dubai" – a nod to his roots complete with Kenyan-inspired rooftop gardens and East African cuisine lounges. "From hawking mitumba in Gikomba to building legacies in the desert. Kenyans abroad, let's keep shining! #HudumaNchiKubwa," Kimani tweeted, attaching drone footage of the site's foundation pouring. The post resonated amid New Year reflections, trending under #KenyansInDubai with discussions on how diaspora remittances fuel such successes back home.

However, the buzz wasn't entirely celebratory. Some X users, including diaspora critic @DiasporaWatchKE, sparked controversy by questioning the project's funding sources, alleging ties to opaque Middle Eastern networks and calling for transparency. "Great story, but where's the money from? Not all that glitters is gold #DubaiHustle," one viral reply read, amassing 10,000 engagements. Kimani clapped back in follow-up tweets, dismissing critics as "haters from the village" and pledging 5% of profits to Kenyan youth entrepreneurship programs, which further polarized opinions.

The story has amplified broader conversations on X about Kenyans abroad, with threads comparing Kimani's rise to other diaspora success tales like tech founders in the US and nurses in the UK. As of January 5, over 200,000 users engaged in related discussions, blending pride in global Kenyan achievements with debates on economic inequality. Kenyan media outlets have picked up the thread, positioning Kimani as a symbol of the untapped potential of the 3-million-strong diaspora, whose remittances hit record highs last year. Whether "Nairobi Towers" becomes a reality remains to be seen, but for now, it's fueling dreams – and a few skeptical side-eyes – across the Atlantic.