Kiambu County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 1°10′S36°50′E / 1.167°S 36.833°E | |
Sovereign state | Kenya |
Region | Central Province |
Established | 4 March 2013 (by 2010 Constitution of Kenya) |
Preceded by | Central Province |
Capital | Kiambu |
Seat of Government | Thika Town |
Wards | 60 [1] |
Government | |
• Governor | Kimani Wamatangi |
• Judiciary | 12 |
Area | |
• Total | 2,449.2 km2 (945.6 sq mi) |
Population (2019 census) | |
• Total | 2,417,735 |
• Density | 990/km2 (2,600/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+3 (East Africa Time) |
Senator | Karungo Wa Thang'wa |
Woman Member of National Assembly | Ann wa muratha |
County Assembly | County Assembly of Kiambu |
Speaker | Charles Murungaru Thiong'o. |
Website | www |
Kiambu County is a county in the former Central Province of Kenya. Its capital is Kiambu and its largest town is Thika town. [2] Kiambu County is the second most populous county in Kenya after Nairobi County. Kiambu County borders Nairobi and Kajiado Counties to the South, Machakos to the East, Murang'a to the North and North East, Nyandarua to the North West, and Nakuru to the West. It has a population of 2,417,735. [3] [4]
The county is 40% rural and 60% urban owing to Nairobi's consistent growth Northwards. The Kikuyu are the dominant tribe in the county. Kiambu is also an economic and political powerhouse in Kenya due to its sprawling population and relatively urban and educated populace. The county features the second most universities only behind Nairobi.
The county has an average annual rainfall of 1,200 millimetres (47 in) and a mean temperature of 26 °C (79 °F) with temperatures as low as −7 °C (19 °F) in the upper highlands areas of Limuru. The long rains start in mid-March and run to May, and the cold season runs from July to August. [5]
According to the 2019 census, there is a total population of 2,417,735 in the county: 1,187,146 males, 1,230,454 females, and 135 intersex persons. There are 796,241 households with an average household size of 3.0 persons per household and a population density of 952 people/km2. [6]
Sub-County | Male | Female | Intersex | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gatundu North | 54,189 | 55,678 | 3 | 109,870 |
Gatundu South | 60,384 | 61,714 | 5 | 122,103 |
Githunguri | 82,037 | 83,187 | 8 | 165,232 |
Juja | 148,446 | 152,480 | 22 | 300,948 |
Kabete | 97,794 | 101,845 | 14 | 199,653 |
Kiambaa | 115,690 | 120,695 | 15 | 236,400 |
Kiambu | 69,661 | 76,225 | 17 | 145,903 |
Kikuyu | 90,919 | 96,198 | 5 | 187,122 |
Lari | 67,061 | 68,238 | 4 | 135,303 |
Limuru | 79,632 | 79,682 | 159,314 | |
Ruiru | 180,947 | 190,144 | 20 | 371,111 |
Thika East | 19,688 | 19,264 | 4 | 38,956 |
Thika West | 120,698 | 125,104 | 18 | 245,820 |
Total | 1,187,146 | 1,230,454 | 135 | 2,417,735 |
Religion in Kiambu County [8]
Religion (2019 Census) | Number |
---|---|
Catholicism | 588,975 |
Protestant | 882,779 |
Evangelical Churches | 525,366 |
African instituted Churches | 187,238 |
Orthodox | 17,670 |
Other Cristian | 120,492 |
Islam | 21,311 |
Hindu | 1,311 |
Traditionists | 3,117 |
Other | 119,515 |
No ReligionAtheists | 30,770 |
Don't Know | 3,854 |
Not Stated | 436 |
Politically, the county is divided into 12 constituencies, 60 county assembly wards, 97 locations and 257 sub-locations.
Kimani Wa Matangi is the governor of Kiambu County following his election win on a UDA Ticket and successful swearing-in after the 2022 General election. He is deputised by H.E. Rosemary Kirika who hails from Gatundu-North subcounty.
Although the capital is Kiambu town, the Executive conducts business from Thika town. Due to its large Agikuyu dominated populace, Kiambu tends to deliver large votes during presidential elections. In the 2017 presidential election Uhuru Kenyatta, the Jubilee party frontrunner received 912,607 votes in the county, which is the most votes ever received from a single county in Kenya's election history, actually this accounted for nearly sixty percent of Kenyatta's margin of victory in the election. The current Kenya Kwanza government has its most members of Parliament from the county.
Number | |
---|---|
Governor | 1 |
Deputy Governor | 1 |
County Secretary | 1 |
CEC Members | 10 |
Total | 13 |
The legislature of Kiambu County is a unicameral County Assembly. It comprises 60 elected Members of County Assembly (MCA) from the 60 wards of the county and 27 nominated members. [1] The members hold office for a five-year term each, renewable during the general election. The speaker and deputy speaker of the assembly are elected by the MCAs. The County Assembly is located at Kiambu town.
The Kiambu High Court was established on 20 June 2016. [10] As of 2017, it consists of a one-judge bench. It is temporarily located at Thika waiting for a permanent building to be constructed at Kiambu, the capital.
The county has a county administrator who is appointed by the President of Kenya. He is not part of the county government but is a representative of the President to assist with matters of administration in the county with regards to the national government. [11]
In Kiambu County, there are 1,515 ECD centers, 948 primary schools, 365 secondary schools, 33 youth polytechnics, 165 adult education centers, one technical training institution, one technical institute of technology. There are a number of universities: [12] Kenyatta University, St Paul's University, Presbyterian University of East Africa, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology [13] and four private universities, Gretsa University, [14] UMMA University, [15] Mount Kenya University [16] and Zetech University.
Category | Public | Private | Total | Enrolment |
---|---|---|---|---|
ECD Centres | 552 | 963 | 1515 | 99,061 |
Primary Schools | 476 | 472 | 948 | 326,770 |
Secondary Schools | 271 | 94 | 365 | 116,366 |
Youth Polytechnics | 33 | 0 | 33 | |
Technical Training Institutes | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
Adult Education Centres | 165 | 0 | 165 | 6,128 |
Institutes of Technology | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
Universities | 1 | 4 | 5 |
Kiambu County has a total of 505 health facilities: 108 are public, 64 faith-based, and 333 private. Kiambu County has 2,652 health personnel of different cadre with a doctor/population ratio of 1:6,667, while the nurse population ratio is at 1:1,110. The immunization coverage is at 89%, close to the national target of 90%. [18]
According to 2016 estimates, HIV prevalence is at 5.6% (below the national 5.9%) and the county is ranked 6th in terms of HIV burden. [19]
Government | FBO | Private | TOTAL | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hospitals | 89 | 11 | 100 | 251 |
Health centres | 33 20 | 0 | 43 | |
Dispensaries | 72 | 21 | 0 | 93 |
Clinics | 0 | 0 | 147 | 147 |
Total | 119 | 40 | 173 | 332 |
The county is covered by 2,049 kilometres (1,273 mi) of road networks. Of this, 459 kilometres (285 mi) is covered by earth surface, 1,075.8 kilometres (668.5 mi) is murram surface, and 515 kilometres (320 mi) is covered by bitumen. [22]
There are 19 Post Offices. [21]
There are 302 trading centers, 118 markets, 364 retail supermarkets, 5,813 registered businesses, 5,807 licensed retail traders and 5,740 licensed wholesale traders. [21] [23]
Tatu City is a special economic zone and an industrial park located in Ruiru sub-county. Apart from real estate, individuals and organizations have also invested in processing. Companies operating in Kiambu include: Farmers Choice Ltd, 25 Kenchic Co. Ltd, Brookside Dairies, Githunguri Dairies, Ndumberi Dairies, Limuru Milk and Palmside Dairies. Kiambu has the second largest economy in Kenya, largely due to its sprawling population and close proximity to the capital city. Kiambu also has the second most educated populace of any county in Kenya.
Thika sub-county has 58 industries, including Bidco Oil Industries, Devki Steel Mills, Broadway Bakeries and Kenblest, among others. [24]
The county has twelve constituencies and fourteen sub-counties. [25] [26] Of the twelve constituencies, Lari occupies the largest land mass at 439.2 km2 (169.6 sq mi), while Kabete is the smallest by landmass as it occupies 60.3 km2 (23.3 sq mi).
Constituency | Area (km2) | No. of Wards | Electoral Wards |
---|---|---|---|
Lari | 439.2 | 5 | Kinale Ward, Kijabe Ward, Nyanduma Ward, Kamburu Ward, Lari/Kirenga Ward |
Juja | 326.6 | 5 | Murera Ward, Theta Ward, Juja Ward, Witeithie Ward, Kalimoni Ward |
Ruiru | 291.9 | 8 | Gitothua Ward, Biashara Ward, Gatongora Ward, Kahawa/Sukari Ward, Kahawa Wendani Ward, Kiuu Ward, Mwiki Ward, Mwihoko Ward |
Gatundu North | 286.0 | 4 | Gituamba Ward, Githobokoni Ward, Chania Ward, Mang'u Ward |
Limuru | 281.7 | 5 | Bibirioni Ward, Limuru Central Ward, Ndeiya Ward, Limuru East Ward, Ngecha Tigoni Ward |
Kikuyu | 236.1 | 5 | Karai Ward, Nachu Ward, Sigona Ward, Kikuyu Ward, Kinoo Ward |
Thika Town | 217.5 | 5 | Township Ward, Kamenu Ward, Hospital Ward, Gatuanyaga Ward |
Gatundu South | 192.4 | 4 | Kiamwangi Ward, Kiganjo Ward, Ndarugo Ward, Ngenda Ward |
Kiambu | 189.1 | 4 | Ting'ang'a Ward, Ndumberi Ward, Riabai Ward, Township Ward |
Githunguri | 173.5 | 5 | Githunguri Ward, Githiga Ward, Ikinu Ward, Ngewa Ward, Komothai 3 Ward |
Kiambaa | 83.2 | 5 | Cianda Ward, Karuri Ward, Ndenderu Ward, Muchatha Ward, Kihara Ward |
Kabete | 60.3 | 5 | Gitaru Ward, Muguga Ward, Nyathuna Ward, Kabete Ward, Uthiru Ward |
Total | 2,543.5 | 233 | 233 |
Sub-counties are mostly derived from constituency boundaries but two constituencies, Ruiru and Thika, have two sub-counties each. [29]
Year | Population | Variation |
---|---|---|
1979 | 686,290 | – |
1989 | 914,412 | +33.2% |
1999 | 1,389,723 | +52.0% |
2009 | 1,623,282 | +16.8% |
2019 | 2,417,735 | +48.9% |
Part of southern areas of Kiambu County are within Greater Nairobi, which consists of four out of 47 counties in Kenya. [32] [33]
County | Urbanisation in Nairobi Metro (Per cent) | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nairobi County | |||||||||
Kiambu County | |||||||||
Machakos County | |||||||||
Kajiado County | |||||||||
Kenya Average | |||||||||
Urbanisation by County within Nairobi Metro |
Source: OpenDataKenya
County | Poverty Level in Nairobi Metro (Per cent) | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kajiado County | |||||||||
Kiambu County | |||||||||
Nairobi County | |||||||||
Machakos County | |||||||||
Kenya Average | |||||||||
Poverty level by County |
Source: OpenDataKenya Worldbank
County | Urbanisation in Central Kenya (Per cent) | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kiambu County | |||||||||
Nyeri County | |||||||||
Nyandarua County | |||||||||
Muranga County | |||||||||
Kirinyaga County | |||||||||
Kenya Average | |||||||||
Urbanisation by County in Central Kenya |
Source: OpenDataKenya
County | Poverty Level in Central Kenya (Per cent) | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kirinyaga County | |||||||||
Muranga County | |||||||||
Kiambu County | |||||||||
Nyeri County | |||||||||
Nyandarua County | |||||||||
Kenya Average | |||||||||
Poverty level by County |
Source: OpenDataKenya Worldbank
Limuru is a town in central Kenya. It serves as both a parliamentary constituency and an administrative division. As of 2004, the town's population was approximately 4,800, which significantly increased to 159,314 by the 2019 census.
Thika is an industrial town and commerce hub in Kiambu County, Kenya, lying on the A2 road 42 kilometres (26 mi), northeast of Nairobi, near the confluence of the Thika and Chania Rivers. Although Thika town is administratively in Kiambu County, the greater Thika area comprising residential areas such as Bendor estate, Maporomoko, Thika Greens, Thika Golden Pearl, Bahati Ridge, and Thika Sports Club, among others, are within Murang'a County. Thika has a population of 279,429 which is growing rapidly, as is the entire greater Nairobi area. Its elevation is approximately 1,631 metres (5,351 ft).
Ruiru is a municipality and sub-county in Kiambu County, Kenya. It sits within the greater Nairobi Metropolitan region. According to the 2019 national population census, Ruiru is the 4th largest urban centre in Kenya by population. The name Ruiru is of the Kikuyu dialect and possibly relates to the black cotton soil that is found in most parts of Ruiru to the east and south.
Kiambu is a town in Kiambu County, Kenya. It is 14 km (8.7 mi) from the capital Nairobi. It is the capital of Kiambu County, which bounds the northern border of Nairobi. Other proximate towns are Ruiru, Gatundu, Limuru and Kabete.
Thika District is a former administrative district in the Central Province of Kenya. Its capital town was Thika. The district was adjacent to the northeastern border of Nairobi. The district had a population of 645.713.
Gatundu is a small town in Kiambu County of Kenya. It is known for the first Kenyan president Jomo Kenyatta who lived about three kilometres away from the town, as well as his son, Uhuru Kenyatta, now the 4th President of Kenya and former Member of Parliament representing Gatundu South Constituency. The town is located on a hill surrounded by many farms and residences.
Kikuyu Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of twelve constituencies in Kiambu County. It was established during the 1963 elections. From the period 1988 elections were held until the 2002 elections were held in Kenya, it was known as Kabete Constituency. With the new demarcation of constituencies by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the constituency was split into two and now we have Kikuyu Constituency and Kabete Constituency. The Current Member of Parliament for Kikuyu Constituency MWR who was elected on The National Alliance Party (TNA) ticket is Kimani Ichungwa. He is the Leader of the Majority Party in the National Assembly for the 13th National Assembly.He was the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee (2017-19) also the Vice - Chairman of the Public Investments Committee (2013-2017), a Member of the committee of Powers and Privileges and equally a Member of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Co-operatives in parliament in the 11th and 12th Parliament. Kikuyu Constituency borders Kabete, Limuru, Westlands and Dagoreti Constituencies. The constituency had its name changed to Kabete Constituency before the 2007 General Elections and Later in 2012 during the review of boundaries by the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the constituency was split into two, thereby creating Kikuyu and Kabete constituencies Respectively.
Lari Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. The constituency is located in the northwestern part of Kiambu County. The constituency was established in 1966 from Limuru Constituency. Lari borders Kinangop to the North, Limuru to the South, Githunguri and Gatundu North constituencies to the east and Naivasha Constituency to the west. Lari is one of the 12 constituencies in Kiambu County, and is further divided to five wards each electing a representative to the Kiambu County Assembly.
Juja is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of twelve constituencies in Kiambu County, one of four in the former Thika District. The constituency was established for the 1969 elections.
Ituru is a settlement in Kenya's Central Province. It is in Gatundu South constituency, Kiambu County. Proximate towns are Gatundu (south), Ruiru and Juja. Other villages neighbouring Ituru includes, Giathi, Gaithece, Gitundu, Itwiku, Muthurumbi, Giathi and Kagumoini.
Lower Kabete is the name given to a region straddling Kiambu County and Nairobi County, Kenya. It falls between Wangige Area and Kitisuru Estate.
Githurai is a composition of densely populated, urban, mixed-use settlements located at the border of Nairobi County and Kiambu County along the Thika Road. Githurai is divided into two; Githurai 45 and Githurai 44. Githurai 45 falls under Ruiru Constituency in the Githurai Sub-county of Kiambu County with the boundary being the Thika Road reserve and River Kasarani downstream. Githurai 44 is domiciled in Roysambu Constituency in the Kasarani Sub-county of Nairobi County. Githurai 44 neighbours Kahawa West, Zimmerman and Njatha-ini Village.
{{Infobox officeholder | honorific-prefix = | name = William Kabogo Gitau | honorific-suffix = | image = | imagesize = | alt = | caption = | order = | office = first Governor of Kiambu County | term_start = 27 March 2013 | term_end = 2017 | taoiseach = | predecessor = | successor = Ferdinand Waititu | order2 = | office2 = Member of the Kenyan Parliament | term_start2 = 2010 | term_end2 = 2013 | president2 = | predecessor2 = | successor2 = | constituency2 = [[JUJA Constituency| | majority2 = | | birth_place = [GITHUNGURI KIAMBU COUNTY] | birthname = | nationality = Kenyan | party = Tujibebe Wakenya Party | spouse = | relations = | children = | residence = | alma_mater = PUNJAB University (COMMERCE management) | occupation = Politician | profession = | cabinet = | committees = | portfolio = | religion = | signature = | signature_alt = | website = | footnotes = | blank1 = | data1 = | birth_date = April 4, 1961 }}
Local elections were held in Kiambu County to elect a Governor and County Assembly on 4 March 2013. Under the new constitution, which was passed in a 2010 referendum, the 2013 general elections were the first in which Governors and members of the County Assemblies for the newly created counties were elected.
Kiambu District was an administrative district in the Central Province of Kenya. Its capital town was Kiambu. The district was adjacent to the northern border of Nairobi and has a population of 744,010.
Membley Estate is an upper middle-class suburb located near Nairobi, in the South-Western Ruiru Municipal area of Kiambu County. The suburb is located a short distance from Kenyatta University, Kamakis and Tatu City some 1.5 Kilometers from the Thika Road. The Membley Baptist, St. Lucia Catholic Church and ACK St Mathew's Membley Churches are found within this locality.
Peninnah Gathoni Muchomba popularly known as Gathoni Wa Mucomba is a Kenyan journalist, entrepreneur and politician. She is the Member of Parliament for Githunguri Constituency in the bicameral Kenyan parliament since 2022 and a member of the ruling party, UDA. She formerly vied and won the Kiambu women representative post in the 2017 General election. Gathoni garnered 922,829 votes from Kiambu county constituents.
Mwiki is a low-income neighbourhood in the counties of Nairobi and Kiambu. It is approximately 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) northeast of the central business district of Nairobi. Due to its transregional nature, the part of Mwiki that is within Nairobi is referred as Kasarani Mwiki while the other portion domiciled in Kiambu is referred as Githurai Mwiki.