Tharaka-Nithi County is county 013 of Kenya’s 47, on the eastern side of Mount Kenya in the former Eastern Province. Kathwana is the county capital and Chuka the largest town. The 2019 census counted 393,177 residents across 2,609 km².
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Capital | Kathwana |
| Largest town | Chuka |
| County code | 013 |
| Population (2019 census) | 393,177 |
| Area | 2,609 km² |
| Former province | Eastern |
| Sub-counties | 3 |
| Main languages | Kimeru (Chuka, Muthambi, Mwimbi, Tharaka dialects), Kiswahili, English |
Towns and Villages in Tharaka-Nithi County
Chuka and Chogoria serve the wet Mount Kenya slopes. Marimanti, Kathwana and Gatunga are the centres of the dry Tharaka plains to the east.
| Town | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Chuka | Town | 22,388 |
| Chogoria | Town | 7,603 |
| Marimanti | Market town | 2,752 |
The gazetteer records 103 named settlements in Tharaka-Nithi County, listed A–Z below.
- Chera
- Chiokariga
- Chogoria
- Chuka
- Gacigongoni
- Gaciongo
- Gakurungu
- Gatunga
- Giampapo
- Gituntu
- Igakiramba
- Igambangombe
- Ikumbo
- Ikuu
- Irangare
- Irereni
- Iriga
- Iruma
- Itugururu
- Kaanwa
- Kaanyaga
- Kabeche
- Kachiambaki
- Kaiga
- Kajiampau
- Kajiunduthi
- Kakaoni
- Kalewa
- Kamaguna
- Kamainde
- Kamarandi
- Kamatungu
- Kamungoita
- Kamutiria
- Kamwango
- Kamwathu
- Kamwimbi
- Kanjoro
- Kanjuki
- Kanoro
- Karamani
- Kariakomo
- Kariani
- Kariikamburi
- Karumandu
- Karungwaru
- Kathenaugi
- Kathwana
- Katwana ka Munanda
- Keria
- Kiakanyinga
- Kiamiogo
- Kibugwa
- Kiegumo
- Kieni
- Kiereni
- Kinunku
- Kirege
- Kirimbu
- Kirindini
- Kithangani
- Kithinge
- Magenka
- Magundu
- Magutuni
- Makambani
- Makanyanga
- Makithi
- Makomango
- Maragwa
- Maranthiu
- Mariani
- Marima
- Marimanti
- Materi
- Mautini
- Mubuura
- Mugere
- Mukuuni
- Mumbuni
- Munga
- Mutembe
- Mwangarimwe
- Ndagani
- Ndiune
- Ndumbeni
- Ngeru
- Ngonya
- Nkarini
- Nkondi
- Nthara
- Nthirani
- Nthumbini
- Raguta
- Rurama
- Tharaka
- Thuchi
- Thuita
- Toibetia
- Tungu
- Tunyai
- Ucweni
- Weru
Geography
The county spans two very different zones over a short distance. The west rises into Mount Kenya forest above 3,000 m, with high rainfall and volcanic soils. The east drops to about 600 m on the Tharaka plains, where annual rainfall can fall below 500 mm.
The Thuci River marks the southern boundary and the Kathita, Mutonga, Naka and Nithi rivers cut down the slopes towards the Tana. Five counties border Tharaka-Nithi: Meru County to the north and north-east, Kitui County to the east and south-east, Embu County to the south and south-west, and Kirinyaga County and Nyeri County to the west on the Mount Kenya massif.
Demographics
The 2019 census recorded 193,764 men, 199,406 women and 7 intersex persons. Density is about 151 people per km², well above the national average but concentrated in Maara and Meru South.
Residents belong mainly to the Ameru community, in its Chuka, Muthambi, Mwimbi and Tharaka subgroups. Kimeru dialects are the first language, with Kiswahili and English used in trade and schools. Maara is the most populous sub-county, with 114,894 people.
Economy and Local Life
The slopes above Chuka and Chogoria grow tea, coffee, bananas, macadamia and dairy fodder. Smallholders sell green leaf to factories at Kionyo and Weru and coffee through local cooperatives.
The Tharaka lowlands run on sorghum, millet, green grams, cowpeas, cotton and livestock, with beekeeping an important cash source. Fish farming has spread in Maara. Chuka University and Tharaka University anchor the service economy, and Chuka is the county’s main market town. Trading days draw crowds at Chuka, Chogoria, Marimanti, Kathwana and Gatunga.
History
The county’s boundaries have changed repeatedly. In 1992 the old Meru District was broken into four: Meru Central, Meru North, Meru South and Tharaka. Meru South, also called Nithi, was then joined with Tharaka to form Tharaka-Nithi District.
The district was split again in 1998, into Nithi and Tharaka. A High Court ruling in 2009 found that split unconstitutional and put the two back together. Tharaka-Nithi County was created under the 2010 constitution, and Kathwana was built as a new headquarters on neutral ground between the highland and lowland halves.
Getting There
Chuka lies about 180 km from Nairobi on the Thika–Embu–Meru highway, a drive of three hours. The same road continues north to Nkubu and Meru town, 55 km further on.
Kathwana is reached by a tarmac spur east of Chuka, and Marimanti by the Chiakariga road into the Tharaka plains. Buses and matatus run through Chuka all day between Nairobi and Meru. There is no scheduled air service; the nearest airstrips are at Meru and Nanyuki.
FAQ
What is the capital of Tharaka-Nithi County?
Kathwana is the county headquarters. Chuka, with 22,388 residents in 2019, is the largest town.
How many towns and villages are in Tharaka-Nithi County?
Gazetteer records name 103 settlements, all listed on this page.
Which sub-counties make up Tharaka-Nithi County?
Three: Maara, Chuka/Igambang’ombe and Tharaka.
Which communities live in Tharaka-Nithi County?
The Chuka, Muthambi, Mwimbi and Tharaka subgroups of the Ameru, who speak dialects of Kimeru.
How far is Chuka from Nairobi?
About 180 km through Thika and Embu, roughly three hours by road.
Who is the governor of Tharaka-Nithi County?
The county governor is Muthomi Njuki, re-elected in August 2022.