Mount Kenya region

Last updated

Mt Kenya region
Eneo la Mlima Kenya (Sw)
Murima
Region
Moi rd, Nakuru.jpg
Mount Kenya.jpg
Tea Farm Limuru.jpg
Thomson's Falls.jpg
Meru National Park, Kenya.jpg
Nakuru City , Mt Kenya , Tea Farming in Limuru, Thompson Falls , Meru National park
Map of Mount Kenya region Counties.jpg
Location of Mt Kenya Region in Kenya
Country Flag of Kenya.svg Kenya
Counties
Largest City Nakuru
Area
  Total
42,563 km2 (16,434 sq mi)
Population
 (2019)
  Total
10,710,491 [1]
  Estimate 
(2025)
11,909,000 [1]
  Density251.6/km2 (652/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)
   Total Increase2.svg $77.61 billion (2023) [2]
   Per Capita Increase2.svg $6,826 (2023)
GDP (NOMINAL)
   Total Increase2.svg $26.04 Billion (2023)
   Per Capita Increase2.svg $2,291 (2023)
Time zone UTC+3 (EAT)
HDI (2023)Increase2.svg 0.643 [3]
- medium
Data for the Mt Kenya region is an aggregate of individual county figures.

The Mount Kenya region, colloquially referred to as Murima (meaning "The Mountain" in Kikuyu), is a geopolitical, cultural and economic area located in the central part of Kenya neighboring Mount Kenya. It comprises 10 counties: Embu, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Kiambu, Laikipia, Nyandarua, and Nakuru too due to Kenya geopolitics. The region's major urban centers include Nakuru and Thika, with Nakuru being one of Kenya's largest cities. As of 2025 the region has approximately 11 Million peoples of which they are predominantly composed of Highland Bantu ethnic groups, notably the Agikuyu, Aembu, Ameru, Ambeere, and Atharaka communities. [4] [5]

Contents

The Mt. Kenya region is considered one of the most socio-economically developed areas in Kenya, second only to the capital, Nairobi. It plays a significant role in the country's economy due to its agricultural productivity, well-established infrastructure, and strategic political influence. The region is known for producing tea, coffee, and horticultural products, and its road network and public services are among the most advanced outside Nairobi.

Demographics

Mt Kenya Region – Historical Population
YearPopulation
(in 'Millions)
Growth Rate
202011.010
202111.1891.63%
202211.3691.61%
202311.5481.57%
202411.7291.57%
202511.9091.53%
203012.8001.50%

As of 2025 the population of Mt Kenya Region is 11.90 which is a 1.83% increase from 2024. Kiambu County is the most populous County with 2.7 Million people, Followed by Nakuru County 2.4 Million people, The two counties also had the highest population growth, Tharaka-Nithi and Kirinyaga had the least population growth with 0.95% and 0.91% respectively

Population in Mt Kenya region by County Population in Mt Kenya.jpg
Population in Mt Kenya region by County
Population in Mt Kenya (2020–2030)(in thousands)
County2020202120222023202420252030
(projection)
Mt Kenya Region11,01011,18911,36911,54811,72911,90912,800
1 Kiambu County Flag.svg Kiambu2,5012,5522,6022,6532,7042,7543,006
2 Flag of Nakuru County.gif Nakuru2,2022,2512,2992,3482,3972,4452,690
3 Flag of Meru County.png Meru1,5651,5861,6061,6261,6461,6661,765
4 Flag of Nyandarua County.png Murang'a1,0771,0881,1001,1121,1241,1361,194
5 Flag of Nyeri County.gif Nyeri810818827835844853895
6 Flag of Kirinyaga County.gif Nyandarua657670683696708721783
7 Flag of Tharaka Nithi County.gif Kirinyaga637642648653658664690
8 Flag of Embu County.gif Embu629635642648655662692
9 Flag of Laikipia County.png Laikipia529539550561572583639
10 Flag of Murang'a County.gif Tharaka-Nithi403408412416421425446

Religion

Nyeri Cathedral Church, Nyeri County Nyeri katedral.jpg
Nyeri Cathedral Church, Nyeri County

Christianity is the dominant religion in Mt Kenya with 96% adherent's, Protestantism was the largest denomination with around 36% being Protestants with Meru County and Tharaka-Nithi County having the more than 40% Protestants, Evangelism and Catholicism followed with around 23% , African Instituted Churches represented 8% of the Population. Islam was a minority religion with only 0.78% of the population being Islamic. 1.73% were Irreligious with Laikipia County and Nakuru County having the most Irreligious people [6]

Religious Affiliation in Mt Kenya Region Counties
CountyChristianityProtestantCatholicEvangelical ChurchesAfrican Instituted ChurchesOrthodoxOther ChristianIslamHinduTraditionistsOther ReligionNo religion / AtheistsDon't KnowNot Stated
Flag of Nakuru County.gif Mt Kenya96.06%36.50%22.84%23.73%8.01%0.59%4.38%0.78%0.04%0.19%1.03%1.73%0.16%0.01%
Flag of Embu County.gif Embu97.39%36.62%26.98%22.71%8.43%0.60%2.06%0.47%0.02%0.06%0.81%1.14%0.11%0.01%
Kiambu County Flag.svg Kiambu96.66%36.74%24.51%21.86%7.79%0.74%5.01%0.89%0.05%0.13%0.81%1.28%0.16%0.02%
Flag of Kirinyaga County.gif Kirinyaga97.94%39.73%29.61%20.19%5.63%0.38%2.40%0.40%0.03%0.04%0.55%0.92%0.12%0.01%
Flag of Laikipia County.png Laikipia92.22%29.71%28.75%21.15%6.86%0.32%5.42%1.65%0.04%1.39%1.41%3.05%0.24%0.01%
Flag of Nyeri County.gif Meru96.26%40.06%20.40%23.82%8.42%0.62%2.96%0.82%0.02%0.13%1.23%1.37%0.15%0.02%
Flag of Murang'a County.gif Murang'a97.63%39.42%24.68%19.70%9.86%0.49%3.49%0.35%0.01%0.09%0.73%1.09%0.09%0.01%
Flag of Meru County.png Nakuru93.69%32.85%16.31%30.23%7.19%0.57%6.53%1.19%0.08%0.21%1.43%3.16%0.23%0.01%
Flag of Nyandarua County.png Nyandarua95.94%30.46%17.13%30.69%11.15%0.58%5.92%0.15%0.01%0.11%1.38%2.31%0.09%0.01%
Flag of Nyeri County.gif Nyeri97.75%37.96%27.95%19.27%9.09%0.63%2.84%0.60%0.02%0.08%0.61%0.81%0.13%0.00%
Flag of Tharaka Nithi County.gif Tharaka-Nithi97.39%44.02%27.67%17.90%4.79%0.68%2.33%0.19%0.00%0.06%1.04%1.14%0.16%0.02%

Human Development

HDI of Mt Kenya region Counties Human Development Index in Mt Kenya.jpg
HDI of Mt Kenya region Counties

As of 2023 the Human Development Index of Mt Kenya region is 0.643 which was higher than the national average of 0.601, Nyeri County , Kiambu County and Embu County are the most developed with an HDI exceeding 0.65, Murang'a County and Tharaka-Nithi County have the least human development with an hdi of around 0.62.

RankCountyHDI
1 Flag of Nyeri County.gif Nyeri 0.678
2 Kiambu County Flag.svg Kiambu 0.663
3 Flag of Embu County.gif Embu 0.650
4 Flag of Kirinyaga County.gif Kirinyaga 0.646
Mt Kenya0.643
5 Flag of Nakuru County.gif Nakuru 0.641
6 Flag of Nyandarua County.png Nyandarua 0.637
7 Flag of Laikipia County.png Laikipia 0.635
8 Flag of Meru County.png Meru 0.632
9 Flag of Tharaka Nithi County.gif Tharaka Nithi 0.626
10 Flag of Murang'a County.gif Murang’a 0.625

Age Distribution

Median Age in Mount Kenya region Median Age in Mount Kenya region.jpg
Median Age in Mount Kenya region

The median age of mount Kenya region is 24.3 which is the highest in the country. Nyeri County and Kirinyaga County have the highest median age of 27 years, Followed by Embu County and Murang'a County with 25 years. Laikipia County and Nyandarua County have the least median age with a median age of 21 years. Central Mount Kenya region and East Mount Kenya region had the highest median age while Western and Northern Mount Kenya region had the least median age.

RankCountyMedian age
1 Flag of Nyeri County.gif Nyeri 27.8
2 Flag of Kirinyaga County.gif Kirinyaga 27.5
3 Flag of Embu County.gif Embu 25.9
4 Flag of Murang'a County.gif Murang'a 25.7
Mount Kenya Average24.32
5 Flag of Meru County.png Meru 23.9
6 Flag of Tharaka Nithi County.gif Tharaka-Nithi 23.8
7 Kiambu County Flag.svg Kiambu 23.5
8 Flag of Nakuru County.gif Nakuru 22.2
9 Flag of Nyandarua County.png Nyandarua 21.8
10 Flag of Laikipia County.png Laikipia 21.1
Kenya Average20.1

History

The Mount Kenya area has long been home to the Kenyan Highland Bantu communities. The Gikuyu (Kikuyu), closely related to the Aembu and Ameru people, traditionally trace their origins to the slopes of Mt. Kenya and the sacred forests. In local belief, God (Ngai) was said to dwell on Kirinyaga (Mt. Kenya), and the creator Gikuyu was shown his promised land from the mountain's peak. By the 13th century AD, these groups had established themselves around the mountain and in the fertile central highlands. They organized under clan and age-set institutions (e.g. the Meru Njuri Ncheke council of elders, and the Gikuyu council of elders councils – Kiama kia ma) and practiced subsistence farming, cattle-herding, hunting, and ritual ceremonies at sacred sites (sacrifices at mugumo fig trees, rain-making on mountain shrines, etc.). [7]

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. [8] African political consciousness rose, and by the 1930s the Kikuyu, Embu and Meru communities began organizing through groups like the Kikuyu Central Association and later the Kenya African Union. This culminated in the Mau Mau uprising (1952–1960), an armed anti-colonial rebellion largely led by Kikuyu (with many Embu and Meru supporters) who hid in the forests of Mount Kenya and Aberdares. Thousands of "oathed" insurgents took refuge on Mt. Kenya, attacking settler farms and colonial outposts. The colonial government's brutal Emergency (villagization, detention camps) took a heavy toll on the local population. Notable figures from the region included Dedan Kimathi (Kikuyu freedom fighter executed by the British), Wangari Maathai (later Nobel laureate environmentalist from Nyeri), and Jomo Kenyatta (a Kikuyu leader from Kiambu who was imprisoned during the Emergency but became Kenya's first president in 1964).

In independent Kenya the Mount Kenya region has remained politically prominent. Nearly all its counties were strongholds of KANU under presidents Kenyatta and Moi. The region has produced national leaders (besides Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki hailed from Othaya,Nyeri. It also has seen significant development initiatives (Hydro dams on the Tana River in Embu/Meru, expansion of tea estates).

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. [9]

Mount Kenya and its surroundings are protected as a national park and forest reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site for its outstanding natural beauty and biodiversity. The Mount Kenya National Park (managed by Kenya Wildlife Service) and the adjacent forest reserve (Kenya Forest Service) cover the highlands above ~2,000 m. They safeguard the mountain's unique flora and fauna (elephants, leopards, endemic rodents, alpine birds, etc.). Lower on the mountain are large tea and coffee farms (especially in Kiambu, Kirinyaga, and parts of Meru, Embu and Nyeri), as well as vast dairy pastures. As of the 2019 census, the ten Mt. Kenya counties ranged from very populous (Kiambu: 2,417,735 people; Nakuru: 2,162,202) to sparsely populated (Laikipia: 518,560). The table below summarizes 2019 population and area for each county in the region.

Counties of the Mt. Kenya Region (Ranked by Area)
RankCountyArea (km2)Population (2023 est.)Population Density (per km2)
1Laikipia9,508518,56055
2Nakuru7,5052,162,202288
3Meru7,0141,545,714220
4Nyeri3,325759,164228
5Nyandarua3,286638,289194
6Embu2,821608,599216
7Tharaka-Nithi2,564393,177153
8Kiambu2,5392,417,735952
9Murang’a2,5231,056,640419
10Kirinyaga1,478610,411413
Total42,56310,710,491252

Except for Kiambu and Nakuru (which have major towns), most of the region is predominantly rural. For example, Kiambu's urban population (1,706,785) far exceeds its rural (711,450), whereas Kirinyaga's rural residents (474,187) greatly outnumber its urban (136,224). Agriculture dominates the lower regions, with crops like tea (slopes of Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Tharaka Nithi) and coffee (Meru, Nyeri) as cash crops, plus maize, beans and horticulture. The region is also a dairy powerhouse (Meru alone produces ~200 million liters/year of milk) and contains projects like the Mwea rice irrigation scheme (Kirinyaga).

Economy

Mt Kenya Region Counties by GDP Mt Kenya Region Counties by GDP.jpg
Mt Kenya Region Counties by GDP

Agriculture is the backbone of the Mount Kenya economy. The fertile highlands produce tea, coffee, horticultural crops, and dairy on a large scale. With a total GDP of $26 Billion, The region contributes around 22% to National GDP . Nakuru and Kiambu are the largest economies contributing around 23% each to the regional GDP. In terms of GDP Per Capita, Nakuru, Nyeri , Nyandarua and Embu leads with a GDP Nominal of more than $7,000 at PPP as of 2023

Mt Kenya Region by GDP per Capita Mt Kenya Region Counties by GDP Per Capita (Nominal).jpg
Mt Kenya Region by GDP per Capita
Regional GDP in Mt Kenya in USD Billion Dollars
RankCountyGDP (Nominal)GDP (PPP)Per Capita (Nominal)Per Capita (PPP)
Mt Kenya Region26.04477.6102,2916,826
1 Flag of Nakuru County.gif Nakuru6.09118.1512,6497,894
2 Kiambu County Flag.svg Kiambu5.89817.5752,2666,754
3 Flag of Meru County.png Meru3.75211.1802,3366,962
4 Flag of Murang'a County.gif Murang’a2.0706.1691,8815,606
5 Flag of Nyeri County.gif Nyeri2.0566.1262,4877,410
6 Flag of Nyandarua County.png Nyandarua1.6344.8682,3937,130
7 Flag of Embu County.gif Embu1.5104.4992,3537,011
8 Flag of Kirinyaga County.gif Kirinyaga1.3594.0512,0986,253
9 Flag of Laikipia County.png Laikipia0.9932.9601,8055,378
10 Flag of Tharaka Nithi County.gif Tharaka-Nithi0.6822.0311,6554,931

Poverty

Poverty in Mt Kenya by County Poverty Rates in Mt Kenya Region Counties.jpg
Poverty in Mt Kenya by County
Poverty in Mount Kenya Constituencies Poverty rates in Mount Kenya region by Constituency (2).jpg
Poverty in Mount Kenya Constituencies

The poverty rate in Mt Kenya averages approximately 30.43%, with individual county rates ranging from a low of 19.9% in Kiambu to a high of 38.2% in Nakuru. Other counties such as Kirinyaga (23.1%), Embu (24.3%), and Nyeri (26.0%) also record relatively low rates, while Tharaka-Nithi (36.1%) and Nyandarua (34.5%) remain slightly above the regional average. Despite intra-regional variations, all Mt Kenya counties fall within the lower spectrum of poverty nationally, reflecting a generally lower incidence of poverty compared to other parts of the country.

Mt Kenya Counties by Rate Value
Rank in
Kenya
CountyRate
30 Flag of Nakuru County.gif Nakuru38.2
31 Flag of Laikipia County.png Laikipia38.0
34 Flag of Tharaka Nithi County.gif Tharaka-Nithi36.1
36 Flag of Nyandarua County.png Nyandarua34.5
37 Flag of Meru County.png Meru34.1
Mt Kenya region30.4
39 Flag of Murang'a County.gif Murang’a30.1
43 Flag of Nyeri County.gif Nyeri26.0
44 Flag of Embu County.gif Embu24.3
45 Flag of Kirinyaga County.gif Kirinyaga23.1
46 Kiambu County Flag.svg Kiambu19.9

Politics

2022 Presidential elections results in Mount Kenya region 2022 Kenya Presidential Election in Mount Kenya region.jpg
2022 Presidential elections results in Mount Kenya region

The Mount Kenya region is a major political force in Kenya due to its large voting population and cohesive voting patterns. It has historically been a stronghold of Central Kenya leadership – producing presidents Jomo Kenyatta (Kiambu), Mwai Kibaki (Nyeri), and Uhuru Kenyatta (Kiambu/Murang’a) – and commanding a block of electoral votes. Traditionally, Mt. Kenya counties have voted largely as a bloc for parties favored by Kikuyu elites, although splits have occurred (e.g. Ford-Asili in the 1970s, NARC in 2002). In the post-2010 era, new political formations emerged: for example, Kirinyaga's Martha Karua ran for president (2013) and became an opposition figure, while Meru leaders like Peter Munya and Irungu Kang’ata have been influential in Jubilee and UDA administrations. [10]

In the 2022 elections, the region swung behind William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza coalition (UDA party) against the traditional Azimio alliance.Issues like county development funds, coffee pricing, and land rights on the mountain frequently dominate local politics.

Notable People

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Kenya Population by County and Sub County". www.knbs.or.ke. KNBS. September 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  2. "Gross County Product". www knbs.or.ke. KNBS. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  3. "Kenyan counties by human development index". statskenya.co.ke. Statista. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  4. "Mt Kenya Region in Kenya". www.erepo.usiu.ac.ke. USIU. 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  5. "Mt Kenya Region". www.broadafrica.com. Broad Africa. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  6. "Religious Affiliation in Kenya by County" (PDF). Africa Check. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  7. History of the Agikuyu. Britannica. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  8. "What Was The Mau Mau Uprising?". www.iwm.org. IWM. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  9. "Geology of Mt Kenya area" (PDF). Amazonaws. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  10. "Mt Kenya Politics". Standard Media. Retrieved 18 June 2025.