Kiambu County

In today's world, Kiambu County has become a topic of great relevance and interest to people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether on a personal, professional, social or cultural level, Kiambu County has captured attention and generated important debates and reflections. Its impact has been felt in different areas of daily life, triggering discussions around its implications and consequences. Over the years, Kiambu County has taken different forms and has evolved depending on the circumstances and trends of the moment, remaining a crucial topic for contemporary society. In this article, we will thoroughly explore the importance of Kiambu County and its influence on various aspects of our lives, offering detailed analysis and insights that invite thought and debate.

Not to be confused with Kiambu.

Kiambu County
Flag of Kiambu County
Flag
Location in Kenya
Location in Kenya
Coordinates: 1°10′S 36°50′E / 1.167°S 36.833°E / -1.167; 36.833
Sovereign state Kenya
RegionCentral Province
Established4 March 2013
(by 2010 Constitution of Kenya)
Preceded byCentral Province
CapitalKiambu
Seat of GovernmentThika Town
Wards60[1]
Government
 • GovernorKimani Wamatangi
 • Judiciary12
Area
 • Total
2,449.2 km2 (945.6 sq mi)
Population
 (2019 census)
 • Total
2,417,735
 • Density990/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)
 • GDPIncrease $16.78 billion (2nd)(2022)[2]
 • Per CapitaIncrease $6,458 (2022) (7th)
GDP (NOMINAL)
 • GDPIncrease $6.164 billion (2022) (2nd)
 • Per CapitaIncrease $2,369(2022) (7th)
Time zoneUTC+3 (East Africa Time)
SenatorKarungo Wa Thang'wa
Woman Member of National AssemblyAnn Muratha
County AssemblyCounty Assembly of Kiambu
SpeakerCharles Murungaru Thiong'o.
Websitewww.kiambu.go.ke

Kiambu County is a county in the former Central Province of Kenya. Its capital is Kiambu and its largest town is Thika town.[3] 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.[4][5]

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.

Climate

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 highland areas of Limuru. The long rains start in mid-March to May, and the cold season from July to August.[6]

Demographics

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.[7]

Distribution of Population by Sex and Sub-County[8]
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

Religion in Kiambu County [9]

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

Administrative and political units

Political units

Politically, the county is divided into 12 constituencies, 60 county assembly wards, 97 locations and 257 sub-locations.

Electoral constituencies

Political leadership

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.

County Executive Committee[10]
Number
Governor 1
Deputy Governor 1
County Secretary 1
CEC Members 10
Total 13

Legislature

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.

Judiciary

The Kiambu High Court was established on 20 June 2016.[11] 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.

County administration

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.[12]

Education

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:[13] Kenyatta University, St Paul's University, Presbyterian University of East Africa, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology[14] and four private universities, Gretsa University,[15] UMMA University,[16] Mount Kenya University[17] and Zetech University.

Education Institutions in Kiambu County 2014[13][18]
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

Health

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%.[19]

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.[20]

Health Facilities by Ownership[21][22]
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

Transport and communication

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.[23]

There are 19 Post Offices.[22]

Trade and commerce

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.[22][24]

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 which hosts Thika Town (also known as Birmingham of Kenya, due to the many industries) has 58 industries, including Bidco Oil Industries, Devki Steel Mills, Broadway Bakeries and Kenblest, among others.[25]

Environment

Around 16% of Kiambu County, 40,000 hectares, is covered by forest. The trees are used for wood fuel as there is a high demand for both charcoal and firewood. Tree planting projects are in progress as the trees face increasing temperatures due to climate change.[26]

In 2021 a leading activist, Joannah Stutchbury was assassinated after protesting about developments in the forest.[27]

Constituencies and sub-counties

The county has twelve constituencies and fourteen sub-counties.[28][29] 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).

Kiambu County area: Constituencies size by land-mass[30][31]
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

Sub-counties are mostly derived from constituency boundaries but two constituencies, Ruiru and Thika, have two sub-counties each.[32]

  • Gatundu North Sub-county
  • Gatundu South Sub-county
  • Githunguri Sub-county
  • Githurai Sub-county[33]
  • Kabete Sub-county
  • Kiambaa Sub-county
  • Kiambu Sub-county
  • Kikuyu Sub-county
  • Juja Sub-county
  • Lari Sub-county
  • Limuru Sub-county
  • Ruiru Sub-county
  • Thika East Sub-county
  • Thika West Sub-county

Population

Historical populations[34]
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%

Nairobi Metro

Part of southern areas of Kiambu County are within Greater Nairobi, which consists of four out of 47 counties in Kenya.[35][36]

Stats

Nairobi Metro

Urbanisation

Urbanisation in Nairobi Metro
County
Urbanisation in Nairobi Metro (Per cent)
Nairobi County
100
Kiambu County
60.8
Machakos County
52
Kajiado County
41.4
 Kenya Average
32.3

Urbanisation by County within Nairobi Metro

Source: OpenDataKenya

Wealth/Poverty Level

Wealth/Poverty Level in Nairobi Metro
County
Poverty Level in Nairobi Metro (Per cent)
Kajiado County
11.6
Kiambu County
98.8
Nairobi County
22
Machakos County
59.6
 Kenya Average
45.9

Poverty level by County

Source: OpenDataKenya Worldbank

Central Kenya Region

Urbanisation

Urbanisation in Central Kenya
County
Urbanisation in Central Kenya (Per cent)
Kiambu County
60.8
Nyeri County
24.5
Nyandarua County
18.5
Muranga County
16.3
Kirinyaga County
15.8
 Kenya Average
32.3

Urbanisation by County in Central Kenya

Source: OpenDataKenya

Wealth/poverty level

Wealth/Poverty Level in Central Kenya
County
Poverty Level in Central Kenya (Per cent)
Kirinyaga County
25.2
Muranga County
28.5
Kiambu County
28.9
Nyeri County
32.7
Nyandarua County
46.6
 Kenya Average
45.9

Poverty level by County

Source: OpenDataKenya Worldbank

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Political Units". County Government of Kiambu. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Kiambu GCP". Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Background of Kiambu County". County Assembly of Kiambu. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Kiambu County (Kenya)". crwflags.com. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Kiambu Position and Size". Kiambu County Government. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  6. ^ Kiambu County Integrated Development Plan CIDP 2018-2022 (PDF). County Government of Kiambu. 2018. p. 3.
  7. ^ Munene, Evans (4 November 2019). "2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Results". Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  8. ^ 2019 Kenya Population and House Census: Population by County and Sub-county, Volume 1. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. 2019. pp. 26, 35, 44. ISBN 9789966102096.
  9. ^ "2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Volume IV: Distribution of Population by Socio-Economic Characteristics" (PDF). Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  10. ^ "179. County executive committees". Kenya Law Reform Commission. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  11. ^ "Kiambu gets High Court · Welcome :: Republic of Kenya - the Judiciary". Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  12. ^ "The County Government Act 2012". Constitution and Reform Education Consortium. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  13. ^ a b "Education, Gender, Culture & Social Services". Kiambu County Government. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  14. ^ "History". jkuat.ac.ke. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  15. ^ "Gretsa University – Quality Education For the Real World". Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  16. ^ "Umma Profile". Umma University. Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  17. ^ "Main Campus, Thika". mku.ac.ke. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  18. ^ "Publications". Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  19. ^ "CoG Reports - Kiambu County Integrated Development Plan CIDP 2018-2022". The Council of Governors. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  20. ^ "Kenya HIV County Profiles 2016" (PDF). National AIDS Control Council. 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  21. ^ "Health Services". Kiambu County Government. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  22. ^ a b c "County Statistical Abstract Kiambu County 2015". Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  23. ^ "Kenya Rural Roads Authority". Kenya Rural Roads Authority. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  24. ^ "Trade, Tourism, Industries & Enterprise Development". Kiambu County Government. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  25. ^ "Kiambu County Integrated Development Plan CIDP 2018-2022". County Government of Kiambu. 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  26. ^ "Kiambu County attains 16pc forest cover – Kenya News Agency". 22 May 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  27. ^ Burke, Jason (16 July 2021). "Environment activist shot dead outside Nairobi home after death threats". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  28. ^ "County Government of Kiambu – Home". Archived from the original on 8 August 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  29. ^ "County Wards". Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  30. ^ "Political Units".
  31. ^ "National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) - Home" (PDF). www.nema.go.ke. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  32. ^ "The Kenya Gazette: Vol. CXXII —No. 9" (PDF). The Kenya Gazette. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  33. ^ "The Kenya Gazette: Vol. CXXIV—No. 21" (PDF). The Kenya Gazette. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  34. ^ "KENYA: Administrative Division population statistics". CityPopulation.de. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  35. ^ Nairobi [permanent dead link‍]
  36. ^ Nairobi metro [permanent dead link‍].