The Mount Kenya region, colloquially referred to as Murima (meaning "The Mountain" in the Kikuyu language), is a geopolitical, cultural and economic area located in the central part of Kenya close to Mount Kenya. It comprises 8 counties: Embu, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Murang'a, Laikipia,Nyandarua, and sometimes Kiambu, though it has become a subject of political debate as of early 2026. A movement led by some Kiambu leaders has sought to distance the county from the "Mount Kenya" label[1]. The region's major urban centers include Thika and Ruiru. As of 2025 the region is home to predominantly Bantu groups with a Nilotic minority presence.
Christianity is the dominant religion in Mt Kenya with 97% adherent's, Protestantism was the largest denomination with around 37% being Protestants with Meru County and Tharaka-Nithi County having the more than 40% Protestants, Catholicism followed with around 24% adherents Evangelism 22%, African Instituted Churches represented 8% of the Population. Islam was a minority religion with only 0.68% of the population being Islamic. 1.37% were Irreligious with Laikipia County and Nakuru County having the most Irreligious people [2]
History
The Mount Kenya region is home to Bantu and Nilotic communities for centuries.
In the late 19th century Mount Kenya fell under British colonial control. Much of its fertile highland became part of the "White Highlands", displacing many local farmers to reserves.[3] The Mau Mau Uprising (1952–1960) began as a militant movement primarily among the Kikuyu people of central Kenya, driven by grievances over land dispossession and the lack of political representation under British colonial rule[4]. While its core was Kikuyu, the rebellion expanded to include other ethnic groups and transformed into a broader nationalist struggle. The conflict also acted as a civil war within the Kikuyu community, pitting "rebels" against "loyalists" who supported the colonial administration. The British declared a State of Emergency in 1952, employing brutal tactics, including mass detention and "rehabilitation" camps. The British eventually achieved a military victory by 1960.[5]
Geography
The mountain's steep altitude gradient creates distinct ecological zones. Montane forests (Juniperus, Podocarpus, and bamboo) cover the slopes up to about 2,500–3,000 m, above which dense bamboo zone and heathland ("Afro-alpine" heather and giant Lobelia) extend to ~4,000 m, and moorland tussock-grass plains occur up to ~5,000 m. Twelve small glaciers and about 20 tarns (alpine lakes) remain on the highest peaks, though they are rapidly retreating due to climate change. The lower slopes are drained by rivers (tributaries of the River Tana and River Ewaso Nyiro) and feed several reservoirs. For example, the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Laikipia County (north of Mount Kenya) and the Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve form part of the mountain's watershed system. These conservancies link the forested foothills of Mt. Kenya to the adjacent Laikipia plateau and Somalian/Maasai savanna ecosystem.[6]
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