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Nyandarua County

(Redirected from Nyandarua)

Nyandarua County is a county in the former Central Province of Kenya, with its capital and largest town being Ol Kalou.[3] Formerly, the capital was Nyahururu, which is now part of Laikipia County. Nyandarua County had a population of 596,268 in 2009 and 638,289 in 2019[1][4] and covers an area of 3,304 km2.[5] The county is located on the northwestern part of the old Central Province, and contains the Aberdare Ranges.

Nyandarua County
Aberdare Ranges in Nyandarua County
Aberdare Ranges in Nyandarua County
Flag of Nyandarua County
Coat of arms of Nyandarua County
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]
GDP (PPP)
 • GDPIncrease $4.618 billion (17th)(2022)[2]
 • Per CapitaIncrease $6,761 (2022) (5th)
GDP (NOMINAL)
 • GDPIncrease $1.696 billion (2022) (17th)
 • Per CapitaIncrease $2,483 (2022) (5th)
Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)
Websitenyandarua.go.ke

Daniel Waithaka was elected the first governor of the County in the 2013 General Election, followed by Francis Kimemia, who was elected as the second governor in the August 2017 elections. In the 2022 general elections, Moses Ndirangu Badilisha won the seat, becoming the third Governor of Nyandarua County.[6]

Demographics

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Local authorities (councils)
Authority Type Population* Urban pop.*
Ol Kalou Town 47,795 15,186
Nyandarua County 432,107 21,868
Total - 479,902 37,054
* 1999 census. Source:[7]
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:[8]

Religion

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Religion in Nyandarua County [9]

Religion (2019 Census) Number
Catholicismy 108,971
Protestant 193,696
Evangelical Churches 195,213
African instituted Churches 70,943
Orthodox 3,692
Other Cristian 37,672
Islam 969
Hindu 33
Traditionists 719
Other 8,766
No ReligionAtheists 14.722
Don't Know 556
Not Stated 50

Administrative divisions

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Administrative divisions
Sub-County Population* Urban pop.* Headquarters
Kipipiri 78,893 208 Kipipiri
Ndaragwa 85,245 3,594 Ndaragwa
North Kinangop 67,356 4,080 Engineer
Ol Joro Orok 65,229 0 Ol Joro Orok
Ol Kalou 98,806 3,881 Ol Kalou
South Kinangop 84,373 3,099 Njabini
Total 479,902 14,871 -
* 1999 census. Sources:,[10][11]

Constituencies

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The county has five constituencies and 25 wards

Constituency Area km2 Popn census 2009 No of Wards Wards
Kinangop Constituency 935 192,379 8 Engineer, Gathara, North Kinangop, Murungaru, Njabini/Kibiru, Nyakio, Magumu, Githabai
Kipipiri Constituency 544 95,338 4 Wanjohi, Kipipiri, Geta, Githioro
Ol Kalou Constituency 536 120,282 5 Karau, Kanjuire Ridge, Milangine, Kaimbaga, Rurii
Ol Jorok Constituency 439 95,643 4 Gathanji, Gatimu, Weru, Charagita
Ndaragwa Constituency 655 92,626 4 Leshau/Pondo, Kiriita, Central, Shamata
Total 3,108 596,268 25

Health

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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

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The county is represented by 25 elected ward representatives 5 MPs, a Women representative, a Senator and a Governor.[12]

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.[13]

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

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Current Members of parliament from constituencies in the county are;

Constituency Formation MP Name Political Party Vote For Total Vote cast Note
Kinangop 1988 HON KWENYA JP 57,895 80,001
Kipipiri 1988 HON WANJIKU MUHIA UDA 18,972 36,887
Ol Kalou 1997 HON. KIARAHO, DAVID NJUGUNA JP 22,201 46,120
Ol Joro Orok 2013 HON. MUCHIRA, MICHAEL MWANGI UDA 23,748 36,445
Ndaragwa 1988 HON. GACHAGUA GEORGE UDA 25,171 38,281
Nyandarua County 2013 HON Faith Gitau[14] UDA 158,486 239,661 Women Representatives
Nyandarua County 2013 Governor

2013 General election.

There were three candidates for governorship during 2013 election[15]

Candidate Party Votes Comment
Daniel Waithaka Mwangi TNA 162,418 Winner
David Mwaniki Ngugi GNU 19,561
Peter Mwangi Gathimba NARC 55,896
Rejected Votes 2,313
Total Cast Votes 240,188

2022 General election.

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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.[16]

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.[17]

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.[18]

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.[19] 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.[20] 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.[21]

Education

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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.[22]

One of pioneer school is Nyandarua high School which was opened 29 March 1965 with 71 students.[23] Currently they are other major school among others; Kangui high School, Karima Girls, Kaheho Mix Secondary, Shamata Girls, Wanjohi Girls, Magumu, Mukoe, Kagondo, Kihingo, Waka Junior, Njabini, Nyahururu Boys, St. Joseph-Mkungi 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.[citation needed]

Investment challenges

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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.[24]

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.[25]

Sport

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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).[26][3][citation needed] It is also home to Benson Kariuki and Bernard Ndung'u, who are Kenya Bowling Federation champions both in Africa and globally.[citation needed] The county is also famous for organising cross country races at different administrative levels in attempt to nurture young athletes.[27]

Economy

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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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]

Tourism

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Nyandarua county is famous for various tourism destination sites attracting both local and international tourists. This include the Aberdare National Park,[28] Mount Kipipiri, Lake Ol Bolossat, Kinangop Plateau and Elephant Hill Hiking Trail.[29]

Central Kenya Region

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Urbanisation

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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

[30]

Wealth and poverty level

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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

[31][32]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Kenya Census 2009". Retrieved 9 December 2013 – via Scribd.
  2. ^ "Kiambu GCP". Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Kenya | U.S. Agency for International Development" (PDF). Kenya.usaid.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 September 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  4. ^ adminusr (4 November 2019). "2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Results". Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Kenya Districts". Statoids.com. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  6. ^ "Kiarie Badilisha declared Nyandarua governor, beating Kimemia". Nation. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  7. ^ Archived 24 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine[dead link]
  8. ^ "Kenya: Administrative Division (Provinces and Counties) – Population Statistics, Charts and Map". citypopulation.de. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  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. ^ "Status of Coverage of Communications Services" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2007. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  11. ^ [1] Archived 18 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ [2] [dead link]
  13. ^ "2022 Kenya General Election". standardmedia.co.ke. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  14. ^ "Members of National Assembly | The Kenyan Parliament Website". parliament.go.ke. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  15. ^ "Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission". iebc.or.ke. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  16. ^ "Badilisha sworn-in as Nyandarua governor in colourful event". The Star. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  17. ^ "Meet John Methu; Nyandarua's youngest senator". Citizen Digital. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  18. ^ "[PHOTOS] Ruto, Gachagua meet Nyadarua leaders". The Star. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  19. ^ "Members of National Assembly | The Kenyan Parliament Website". parliament.go.ke. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  20. ^ "Wanjiku Muhia beats Amos Kimunya to become Kipipiri's first woman MP". Nation. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  21. ^ "Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni loses Ndaragwa MP seat". Nation. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  22. ^ "Nyandarua County Profile Data". HURUmap. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  23. ^ "Nyandarua High School". Somo.co.ke. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  24. ^ "COUNTY FISCAL STRATEGY PAPER (CFSP) FOR 2021/2022 FY AND THE MEDIUM TERM" (PDF). Nyandarua go.ke. February 2021.[dead link]
  25. ^ "How smart farming in Nyandarua is lifting livelihoods". Nation. 9 November 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  26. ^ "Samuel Kamau WANJIRU | Profile | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  27. ^ "2021 Nyandarua County Cross-Country – County Government of Nyandarua". Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  28. ^ "Aberdare National Park | Kenya Wildlife Service". kws.go.ke. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  29. ^ Kagai, Danson (16 March 2015). "Wealthy Koreans to build Sh22bn golf resort in Nyandarua". CK. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  30. ^ "County Urbanization: Nairobi | Open Kenya | Transparent Africa". Kenya.socrata.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  31. ^ "Poverty Rate, by District | Open Kenya | Transparent Africa". Kenya.socrata.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  32. ^ Al, Edward (30 September 2013). "Kenya | Data". Data.worldbank.org. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
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0°33′S 36°37′E / 0.550°S 36.617°E / -0.550; 36.617