Nyandarua County
County
Aberdare Ranges in Nyandarua County
Aberdare Ranges in Nyandarua County
Flag of Nyandarua County
Flag
Coat of arms of Nyandarua County
Coat of arms
Location in Kenya
Location in Kenya
Country Kenya
Formed4 March 2013
CapitalOl Kalou
Government
 • GovernorMoses Ndirangu Badilisha
Area
 • Total3,107.7 km2 (1,199.9 sq mi)
Population
 (2019)
 • Total638,289[1]
Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)
Websitenyandarua.go.ke

Nyandarua County is a County in the former Central Province of Kenya with its capital and largest town being Ol Kalou.[2] Formerly the capital was Nyahururu, which is now part of the Laikipia County. Nyandarua County had a population of 596,268 by 2009 and 638,289 by 2019[1][3] and an area of 3,304 km2.[4] The county is located on the northwestern part of the old Central Province, and contains the Aberdare Ranges.

The county was split into two in 2007: Nyandarua North District and Nyandarua South District. However, with the promulgation in 2010 of new constitution, these have been re-organised as sub counties of Nyandarua County . Daniel Waithaka was elected the first governor of the County in the 2013 General Election and Francis Kimemia seconds him in August 2017 elections. In the 2022 general elections, Moses Ndirangu Badilisha won the seat, becoming the third Governor of Nyandarua County.[5]

Demographics

Local authorities (councils)
Authority Type Population* Urban pop.*
Ol KalouTown47,79515,186
NyandaruaCounty432,10721,868
Total-479,90237,054
* 1999 census. Source:[6]
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1979 233,302—    
1989 345,420+48.1%
1999 479,902+38.9%
2009 596,268+24.2%
2019 638,289+7.0%
source:[7]

Religion

Religion in Nyandarua County [8]

Religion (2019 Census) Number
Catholicismy108,971
Protestant193,696
Evangelical Churches195,213
African instituted Churches70,943
Orthodox3,692
Other Cristian37,672
Islam969
Hindu33
Traditionists719
Other8,766
No ReligionAtheists14.722
Don't Know556
Not Stated50

Administrative divisions

Administrative divisions
Sub-County Population* Urban pop.* Headquarters
Kipipiri78,893208Kipipiri
Ndaragwa85,2453,594Ndaragwa
North Kinangop67,3564,080Engineer
Ol Joro Orok65,2290Ol Joro Orok
Ol Kalou98,8063,881Ol Kalou
South Kinangop84,3733,099Njabini
Total479,90214,871-
* 1999 census. Sources:,[9][10]

Constituencies

The county has five constituencies and 25 wards

ConstituencyArea km2Popn census 2009No of WardsWards
Kinangop Constituency935192,3798Engineer, Gathara, North Kinangop, Murungaru, Njabini/Kibiru, Nyakio, Magumu, Githabai
Kipipiri Constituency54495,3384Wanjohi, Kipipiri, Geta, Githioro
Ol Kalou Constituency536120,2825Karau, Kanjuire Ridge, Milangine, Kaimbaga, Rurii
Ol Jorok Constituency43995,6434Gathanji, Gatimu, Weru, Charagita
Ndaragwa Constituency65592,6264Leshau/Pondo, Kiriita, Central, Shamata
Total3,108596,26825

Health

Nyandarua is serviced by several government hospitals; Nyahururu, Ngano. Ol Kalou -JM Kariuki Memorial district hospital, Engineer District Hospital. Mission hospital funded by church and NGO. Several dispensaries offer health services to the county's residents, an example being Mirangine Health Centre.

County hospitals receive patients from all over the county and in case of referral refer them to Nakuru or Nyeri County Referral hospital and then to Kenyatta National Hospital

Representatives

The county is represented by 25 elected ward representatives 5 MPs, a Women representative, a Senator and a Governor.[11]

In 2013 presidential election the county voters voted for Uhuru Kenyatta with 237,975 a 99% of valid votes.

In the 2022 general elections, majority of the voters voted for William Samoei Ruto with 189, 513 votes, 78.76% of valid votes.[12]

August

Members of County Assembly (In reference to August 2022 general elections)

MCA Ward represented Political Party
Daniel Gitau Karau UDA
Duncan Githinji Gatimu Indp
Ebarahim Maina Murungaru Jubilee
Elijah Mwangi Kaimbaga UDA
Gichuki James Engineer Jubilee
Hussein Kassana Magumu UDA
Isaac Kung'u Wanjohi UDA
Isaac Kamau Githioro UDA
James Gachomba Njabini Jubilee
John Thuo Kanjuiri Range UDA
Joseph Thuo Gathanji UDA
Kamwana Geoffrey Gathara Indp
King'ori Edinald North Kinangop UDA
Milkah Wanjiru Kiriita UDA
Paul Wambaire Kipipiri CCK
Paul Kiruka Charagita UDA
Peter Mwangi Central UDA
Peter Thinji Rurii Indp
Peter Gathungu Leshau UDA
Ruben Gitau Shamata UDA
Samuel Kaiyani Githabai UDA
Samuel Chege Geta UDA
Samuel Mathu Mirangine UDA
Simon Mbogo Weru UDA
Zachary Njeru Nyakio UDA

Legislature

Current Members of parliament from constituencies in the county are;

ConstituencyFormationMP NamePolitical PartyVote ForTotal Vote castNote
Kinangop1988HON KWENYAJP57,89580,001
Kipipiri1988HON WANJIKU MUHIAUDA18,97236,887
Ol Kalou1997HON. KIARAHO, DAVID NJUGUNAJP22,20146,120
Ol Joro Orok2013HON. MUCHIRA, MICHAEL MWANGIUDA23,74836,445
Ndaragwa1988HON. GACHAGUA GEORGEUDA25,17138,281
Nyandarua County2013HON Faith Gitau[13]UDA158,486239,661Women Representatives
Nyandarua County2013Governor

2013 General election.

There were three candidates for governorship during 2013 election[14]

CandidatePartyVotesComment
Daniel Waithaka MwangiTNA162,418Winner
David Mwaniki NgugiGNU19,561
Peter Mwangi GathimbaNARC55,896
Rejected Votes2,313
Total Cast Votes240,188

2022 General election.

Moses Kiarie Ndirangu Badilisha and John Mathara Mwangi won the 2022 election on a United Democratic Alliance ticket both being sworn in on 25 August 2022 at the Ol Kalou Amboretum grounds as Governor and Deputy Governor of Nyandarua County respectively.[15]

John Methu was elected Senator through United Democratic Alliance with 185,337 votes against Theuri Kinyanjui who had 34,845 votes and the former Senator Mwangi Paul Githiomi came in third with 15,015 votes.[16]

Faith Gitau of the United Democratic Alliance won and retained her seat by 159,621 votes against her competitors Esther Muhoho of the Jubilee Party with 40,112 and followed closely by Judy Muhia with 27,819 votes.[17]

In constituency level, Kinangop Constituency saw Mr Kwenya Thuku retain his seat by the Jubilee Party won by 39,321 votes against Chege Mugo who garnered 34, 842 votes and vied in the United Democratic Alliance party, Ol Kalou Constituency Hon. Kiaraho, David Njuguna retained his seat with the Jubilee Party having gained 24,058 votes against United Democratic Alliance contender Sammy Ngotho, who received 19,380 votes.[18] In Kipipiri Constituency they made history by electing the first female Member of Parliament Wanjiku Muhia who was also the First Women Representative for Nyandarua County.[19] Jeremiah Kioni Jubilee Secretary lost his seat of ten years to George Gachagwa of United Democratic Alliance. George who got 30,180 votes against Kioni who had 7,227 votes in the Ndaragwa Constituency.[20]

Education

Children in Nyandarua can access school with ease. Schools are normally situated a walking distance mostly of less than 3 km (for primary school and high school) with a large number of public and private schools. For tertiary education they are a number of colleges and polytechnic but no university.

Education levels vary drastically with 61% of the population having reached primary school, 19% secondary school and only 2% have a tertiary education level.[21]

One of pioneer school is Nyandarua high School which was opened 29 March 1965 with 71 students.[22] Currently they are other major school among others; Kangui high School, Karima Girls, Shamata Girls, Wanjohi Girls, Magumu, Mukoe, Kagondo, Kihingo, Waka Junior, Njabini, Nyahururu Boys. There has been no University in Nyandarua, until Nyandarua Institute was upgraded to a university college under Dedan Kimathi University of Science & Technology. There are some Technical Institutions like Leshau Polytechnic in Ndaragwa Constituency, at Gordon Centre (Next to Kihingo Catholic Church) – Mutanga Parish And Kinagop Technical and Vocational centre in Githioro (kinagop sub county) which was launched in 2017. More Tertiary institution are needed.

Investment challenges

Nyandarua County is a productive area for agriculture, manufacturing and processing. There are a number of challenges including lack of a good road network and adequate distribution of electricity and water.[23]

Interested investors both local and in the diaspora can invest in agriculture, manufacturing, processing and housing.

Nyandarua county is famous for its agricultural productivity. Agricultural produce in terms of Maize, Beans, Irish potatoes, cabbages, spinach, kales, peas, grow in plenty, due to the fertile soils and favourable climate in the county.[24]

Sport

Nyandarua is famous for being the home of athletics such as; John Ngugi, Catherine Ndereba, Stanley Waithaka and the late Samuel Wanjiru (a one-time Olympic champion, three-time major marathon winner, one-time major marathon silver medalist, and two-time world record holder).[25][2] It is also home to Benson Kariuki and Bernard Ndung'u, who are Kenya Bowling Federation champions both in Africa and globally. The county is also famous for organising cross country races at different administrative levels in attempt to nurture young athletes.[26]

Economy

The main economic activity in Nyandarua is farming (crop cultivation and dairy farming). In late 1990s Nyandarua was a leading producer of pyrethrum, however Kenya Pyrethrum Board the parastatal that was given the role of purchasing, processing and marketing the crop collapsed because of poor management and corruption, severely undermining the livelihood of many farmers. Nyandarua county is well known as a giant in potato farming. However, there has been a number of challenges that are associated with farming such as fluctuation of the market, poor roads, and crop diseases. Aberdare forest which covers a larger area of the country, attract local and international tourist who make a positive income to the local society. The time is now ripe for the people of Nyandarua to initiate new ways of Agribusiness. Constituencies like Ndaragwa should initiate Agribusiness that does well in semi arid areas like mangoes, millet, cassava, pumpkins and other such crops and a processing factory should be established so that the farmers get maximum returns.

Tourism

Nyandarua county is famous for various tourism destination sites attracting both local and international tourists. This include the Aberdare National Park,[27] Mount Kipipiri, Lake Ol Bolossat, Kinangop Plateau and Elephant Hill Hiking Trail.[28]

Central Kenya Region

Urbanisation

Urbanisation in Central Kenya
County
Urbanisation in Central Kenya (Per cent)
Kiambu County
60.8
Nyeri County
34.7
Nyandarua County
8.9
Muranga County
36.3
Kirinyaga County
25.8
 Kenya Average
32.3

Urbanisation by County in Central Kenya

[29]

Wealth and poverty level

Poverty Level in Central Kenya
County
Poverty Level in Central Kenya (Per cent)
Kirinyaga County
34.2
Muranga County
28.5
Kiambu County
19.9
Nyeri County
26.3
Nyandarua County
76.6
 Kenya Average
45.9

Poverty level by County

[30][31]

References

  1. 1 2 "Kenya Census 2009". Retrieved 9 December 2013 – via Scribd.
  2. 1 2 "Kenya | U.S. Agency for International Development" (PDF). Kenya.usaid.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 September 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  3. ↑ adminusr (4 November 2019). "2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Results". Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  4. ↑ "Kenya Districts". Statoids.com. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  5. ↑ "Kiarie Badilisha declared Nyandarua governor, beating Kimemia". Nation. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  6. ↑ Archived 24 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ "Kenya: Administrative Division (Provinces and Counties) – Population Statistics, Charts and Map". citypopulation.de. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  8. ↑ "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.
  9. ↑ "Status of Coverage of Communications Services" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2007. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  10. ↑ Archived 18 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑
  12. ↑ "2022 Kenya General Election". standardmedia.co.ke. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  13. ↑ "Members of National Assembly | The Kenyan Parliament Website". parliament.go.ke. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  14. ↑ "Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission". iebc.or.ke. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  15. ↑ "Badilisha sworn-in as Nyandarua governor in colourful event". The Star. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  16. ↑ "Meet John Methu; Nyandarua's youngest senator". Citizen Digital. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  17. ↑ "[PHOTOS] Ruto, Gachagua meet Nyadarua leaders". The Star. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  18. ↑ "Members of National Assembly | The Kenyan Parliament Website". parliament.go.ke. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  19. ↑ "Wanjiku Muhia beats Amos Kimunya to become Kipipiri's first woman MP". Nation. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  20. ↑ "Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni loses Ndaragwa MP seat". Nation. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  21. ↑ "Nyandarua County Profile Data". HURUmap. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  22. ↑ "Nyandarua High School". Somo.co.ke. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  23. ↑ "COUNTY FISCAL STRATEGY PAPER (CFSP) FOR 2021/2022 FY AND THE MEDIUM TERM" (PDF). Nyandarua go.ke. February 2021.
  24. ↑ "How smart farming in Nyandarua is lifting livelihoods". Nation. 9 November 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  25. ↑ "Samuel Kamau WANJIRU | Profile | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  26. ↑ "2021 Nyandarua County Cross-Country – County Government of Nyandarua". Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  27. ↑ "Aberdare National Park | Kenya Wildlife Service". kws.go.ke. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  28. ↑ Kagai, Danson (16 March 2015). "Wealthy Koreans to build Sh22bn golf resort in Nyandarua". CK. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  29. ↑ "County Urbanization: Nairobi | Open Kenya | Transparent Africa". Kenya.socrata.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  30. ↑ "Poverty Rate, by District | Open Kenya | Transparent Africa". Kenya.socrata.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  31. ↑ Al, Edward (30 September 2013). "Kenya | Data". Data.worldbank.org. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.

0°33′S 36°37′E / 0.550°S 36.617°E / -0.550; 36.617

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