{"id":15,"date":"2026-07-02T01:18:44","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T01:18:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/central\/kiambu\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T07:53:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T07:53:08","slug":"kiambu","status":"publish","type":"central","link":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/central\/kiambu\/","title":{"rendered":"Kiambu"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kiambu is county 022 of Kenya’s 47, in the former Central Province, with its capital at Kiambu town. The 2019 census counted 2,417,735 residents across 2,449.2 km², about 987 people per km² — the highest of any county outside Nairobi and Mombasa. Kiambu wraps around Nairobi on the north and west, and most of its growth is metropolitan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Fact<\/th>\nValue<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Capital<\/td>\nKiambu town<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
County code<\/td>\n022<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Population (2019 census)<\/td>\n2,417,735<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Area<\/td>\n2,449.2 km²<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Former province<\/td>\nCentral<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sub-counties<\/td>\n12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Main languages<\/td>\nKikuyu, Swahili, English<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Towns and Villages in Kiambu County<\/h2>\n

Kiambu holds several of Kenya’s largest towns, and Ruiru, Kikuyu, Karuri, Juja and Thika all outrank the county capital. Most are dormitory towns for Nairobi and have grown faster than any other urban centres in the country. Limuru, Githunguri, Gatundu, Lari and Tigoni serve the farming areas further out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Town<\/th>\nType<\/th>\nPopulation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Ruiru<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n490,120<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kikuyu<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n323,881<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Thika<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n251,407<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Karuri<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n194,342<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Juja<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n156,041<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kiambu<\/td>\nTown, county capital<\/td>\n147,870<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Limuru<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n81,316<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Githunguri<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n63,319<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gatundu<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n7,947<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
    \n
  1. Barigito<\/li>\n
  2. Barua<\/li>\n
  3. Bathi<\/li>\n
  4. Bavigito<\/li>\n
  5. Benvar Farm<\/li>\n
  6. Bibirioni<\/li>\n
  7. Bratkenhurst<\/li>\n
  8. Camerondale<\/li>\n
  9. Chegeini<\/li>\n
  10. Chieko<\/li>\n
  11. Chura<\/li>\n
  12. Ekaru<\/li>\n
  13. Escarpment<\/li>\n
  14. Gacharage<\/li>\n
  15. Gachege<\/li>\n
  16. Gachika<\/li>\n
  17. Gachoiri<\/li>\n
  18. Gachugi<\/li>\n
  19. Gaithege<\/li>\n
  20. Gakoe<\/li>\n
  21. Gatamaiyu<\/li>\n
  22. Gatei<\/li>\n
  23. Gathage<\/li>\n
  24. Gathagi<\/li>\n
  25. Gathaithi<\/li>\n
  26. Gathanga<\/li>\n
  27. Gathangari<\/li>\n
  28. Gathanje<\/li>\n
  29. Gathanji<\/li>\n
  30. Gathegia<\/li>\n
  31. Gathiga<\/li>\n
  32. Gathima<\/li>\n
  33. Gathiriga<\/li>\n
  34. Gathiruini<\/li>\n
  35. Gathithina<\/li>\n
  36. Gathuga<\/li>\n
  37. Gathugu<\/li>\n
  38. Gatiabai<\/li>\n
  39. Gatiiguru<\/li>\n
  40. Gatimu<\/li>\n
  41. Gatitu<\/li>\n
  42. Gatitu B<\/li>\n
  43. Gatuanibu<\/li>\n
  44. Gatukuyu<\/li>\n
  45. Gatundu<\/li>\n
  46. Gatunguru<\/li>\n
  47. Gatwamba<\/li>\n
  48. Giachumi<\/li>\n
  49. Giagithu<\/li>\n
  50. Giathieko<\/li>\n
  51. Gicharani<\/li>\n
  52. Gicheha<\/li>\n
  53. Gicheru<\/li>\n
  54. Gichiengo<\/li>\n
  55. Gichocho<\/li>\n
  56. Gichongo<\/li>\n
  57. Gichoto<\/li>\n
  58. Gichuru<\/li>\n
  59. Gikambura<\/li>\n
  60. Gikaru<\/li>\n
  61. Gikui<\/li>\n
  62. Gikure<\/li>\n
  63. Gitamaiyu<\/li>\n
  64. Gitaru<\/li>\n
  65. Githamba<\/li>\n
  66. Githega<\/li>\n
  67. Githiga A<\/li>\n
  68. Githiga B<\/li>\n
  69. Githigui<\/li>\n
  70. Githioro<\/li>\n
  71. Githirioni<\/li>\n
  72. Githoito<\/li>\n
  73. Githunguchu<\/li>\n
  74. Githunguri<\/li>\n
  75. Githuya<\/li>\n
  76. Gitiba<\/li>\n
  77. Gitiha<\/li>\n
  78. Gitithia<\/li>\n
  79. Gititu<\/li>\n
  80. Gitombo<\/li>\n
  81. Gituamba<\/li>\n
  82. Gituru<\/li>\n
  83. Gitwamba<\/li>\n
  84. Gitwe<\/li>\n
  85. Gura Gura<\/li>\n
  86. Handege<\/li>\n
  87. Ibonia<\/li>\n
  88. Ichachiri<\/li>\n
  89. Ikinu<\/li>\n
  90. Ikuma<\/li>\n
  91. Ituramiro<\/li>\n
  92. Juja<\/li>\n
  93. Kabete<\/li>\n
  94. Kabochu<\/li>\n
  95. Kabuku<\/li>\n
  96. Kagaa<\/li>\n
  97. Kagongo<\/li>\n
  98. Kagumoini<\/li>\n
  99. Kagwe<\/li>\n
  100. Kagwongo<\/li>\n
  101. Kahuguini<\/li>\n
  102. Kahuho<\/li>\n
  103. Kaimba<\/li>\n
  104. Kairi<\/li>\n
  105. Kairi Ka Igamba<\/li>\n
  106. Kajinga<\/li>\n
  107. Kalimoni<\/li>\n
  108. Kamae<\/li>\n
  109. Kamahendu<\/li>\n
  110. Kamahia<\/li>\n
  111. Kamandura<\/li>\n
  112. Kambaa<\/li>\n
  113. Kambara<\/li>\n
  114. Kamburu<\/li>\n
  115. Kamirithu<\/li>\n
  116. Kamondo<\/li>\n
  117. Kampi Ya Njemi<\/li>\n
  118. Kamuchege<\/li>\n
  119. Kamuguga<\/li>\n
  120. Kamunyaka<\/li>\n
  121. Kamunyuini<\/li>\n
  122. Kamwangi<\/li>\n
  123. Kandogo<\/li>\n
  124. Kangoya<\/li>\n
  125. Kangunyi<\/li>\n
  126. Kanjai<\/li>\n
  127. Kanjiru<\/li>\n
  128. Kanjuku<\/li>\n
  129. Kanunga<\/li>\n
  130. Kanyariri<\/li>\n
  131. Kanyoni<\/li>\n
  132. Kanyore<\/li>\n
  133. Karai<\/li>\n
  134. Karatu<\/li>\n
  135. Karembu<\/li>\n
  136. Karenge<\/li>\n
  137. Karia<\/li>\n
  138. Kariku<\/li>\n
  139. Karinga<\/li>\n
  140. Karugutu<\/li>\n
  141. Karunga<\/li>\n
  142. Karura<\/li>\n
  143. Karura Kanyungu<\/li>\n
  144. Karuri<\/li>\n
  145. Karweti<\/li>\n
  146. Kawaida<\/li>\n
  147. Kereita<\/li>\n
  148. Kiahuria<\/li>\n
  149. Kiama<\/li>\n
  150. Kiambaa<\/li>\n
  151. Kiambu<\/li>\n
  152. Kiambu Forest<\/li>\n
  153. Kiambururu<\/li>\n
  154. Kiamwangi<\/li>\n
  155. Kiamworia<\/li>\n
  156. Kiangima<\/li>\n
  157. Kianjogu<\/li>\n
  158. Kiaria<\/li>\n
  159. Kiaroworia<\/li>\n
  160. Kiawanugu<\/li>\n
  161. Kibanguini<\/li>\n
  162. Kibichiku<\/li>\n
  163. Kibichoi<\/li>\n
  164. Kibiriraini<\/li>\n
  165. Kidono<\/li>\n
  166. Kieni<\/li>\n
  167. Kigaa<\/li>\n
  168. Kiganjo<\/li>\n
  169. Kigongo<\/li>\n
  170. Kigumo<\/li>\n
  171. Kihara<\/li>\n
  172. Kihingo<\/li>\n
  173. Kikuyu<\/li>\n
  174. Kilima Mbogo<\/li>\n
  175. Kimathi<\/li>\n
  176. Kimende<\/li>\n
  177. Kimunyu<\/li>\n
  178. Kinari<\/li>\n
  179. Kinoo<\/li>\n
  180. Kinunga<\/li>\n
  181. Kirangari<\/li>\n
  182. Kiratina<\/li>\n
  183. Kirenga<\/li>\n
  184. Kiriko<\/li>\n
  185. Kiriri<\/li>\n
  186. Kiroe<\/li>\n
  187. Laini<\/li>\n
  188. Lari<\/li>\n
  189. Liliana<\/li>\n
  190. Limuru<\/li>\n
  191. Lower Kabete<\/li>\n
  192. Lusigeti<\/li>\n
  193. Magina<\/li>\n
  194. Magumu<\/li>\n
  195. Mahinga<\/li>\n
  196. Makutano<\/li>\n
  197. Makwa<\/li>\n
  198. Manga Gardens<\/li>\n
  199. Mangu<\/li>\n
  200. Manguo<\/li>\n
  201. Mararo<\/li>\n
  202. Marige<\/li>\n
  203. Mataara<\/li>\n
  204. Matuguta<\/li>\n
  205. Mbari<\/li>\n
  206. Mbari-ya-igi<\/li>\n
  207. Mbauni<\/li>\n
  208. Mbogoro<\/li>\n
  209. Meretha<\/li>\n
  210. Miguta<\/li>\n
  211. Miiri<\/li>\n
  212. Mirithu<\/li>\n
  213. Misarara<\/li>\n
  214. Muchatha<\/li>\n
  215. Mugueni<\/li>\n
  216. Muguga<\/li>\n
  217. Mukawa<\/li>\n
  218. Mukinye<\/li>\n
  219. Mukuruwe<\/li>\n
  220. Mundoro<\/li>\n
  221. Munyu<\/li>\n
  222. Murengeti<\/li>\n
  223. Mureria<\/li>\n
  224. Mutati<\/li>\n
  225. Muthiga<\/li>\n
  226. Muthumu<\/li>\n
  227. Muthure<\/li>\n
  228. Muthurua<\/li>\n
  229. Mutoma<\/li>\n
  230. Mutomo<\/li>\n
  231. Muuathi<\/li>\n
  232. Muyaka<\/li>\n
  233. Mwagu<\/li>\n
  234. Mweri<\/li>\n
  235. Mwimuto<\/li>\n
  236. Nachu<\/li>\n
  237. Nazareth<\/li>\n
  238. Ndarugu<\/li>\n
  239. Ndeiya<\/li>\n
  240. Ndenderu<\/li>\n
  241. Nderi<\/li>\n
  242. Nderu<\/li>\n
  243. Ndiuini<\/li>\n
  244. Nduma<\/li>\n
  245. Ndumberi<\/li>\n
  246. Ndundu<\/li>\n
  247. Ndurarua<\/li>\n
  248. Nduriri<\/li>\n
  249. Nembu<\/li>\n
  250. Neokampi<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Geography<\/h2>\n

    Kiambu falls from the Aberdare forest edge and the Limuru escarpment in the west, above 2,400 m, to the Athi plains around Thika and Juja at about 1,500 m. The upper zone at Lari, Uplands and Limuru is cold, wet and forested. The middle belt through Kiambu, Kiambaa, Githunguri and Kabete is classic coffee and dairy country. The eastern edge is drier.<\/p>\n

    The Chania, Thika, Ruiru, Nairobi, Ndarugu and Kamiti rivers cross the county eastwards, and the Fourteen Falls on the Athi River sit at the county’s eastern edge near Thika. Ruiru and Kiambu reservoirs supply Nairobi. Rainfall runs from about 2,000 mm on the Limuru escarpment to around 800 mm at Juja.<\/p>\n

    Kiambu borders six counties: Murang’a County<\/a> to the north and north-east, Nyandarua County<\/a> to the north-west, Nakuru County<\/a> to the west, Kajiado County<\/a> to the south-west, Nairobi County<\/a> to the south and Machakos County<\/a> to the east.<\/p>\n

    Demographics<\/h2>\n

    The 2019 KNBS census recorded 2,417,735 residents, making Kiambu Kenya’s second most populous county after Nairobi. Average density is about 987 people per km². The Nairobi-facing sub-counties of Ruiru, Kikuyu, Kiambaa and Kabete are effectively urban, at many times that figure, while Lari and Gatundu North remain rural.<\/p>\n

    The county is historically Kikuyu, and Kikuyu is the common language alongside Swahili and English. Its role as Nairobi’s overflow has made the towns far more mixed than the farming areas. Ruiru, Juja, Thika and Kikuyu now house workers from every part of Kenya, and Swahili and English carry most public life there.<\/p>\n

    Economy and Local Life<\/h2>\n

    Kiambu has two economies. The farming one produces tea at Limuru, Lari and Githunguri, coffee across the middle belt, and the country’s densest concentration of smallholder dairy. Githunguri’s co-operative is one of Kenya’s largest milk processors. Cut flowers and vegetables are grown under glass around Limuru and Tigoni for export.<\/p>\n

    The other economy is metropolitan. Thika is a long-established manufacturing town, with textiles, food processing, paper and motor assembly; Ruiru, Juja and Kikuyu have grown on housing, retail, private universities and light industry. Real estate development is the county’s fastest-moving sector, and much former coffee land near Nairobi has been subdivided into estates.<\/p>\n

    History<\/h2>\n

    Kiambu was the first Kikuyu district taken into the colonial economy, because it lay next to the new railway town of Nairobi. Fort Smith was built at Kikuyu in 1892. Large areas of Kiambu land were then alienated for European coffee estates, the grievance that drove much of the later land politics of Central Kenya.<\/p>\n

    Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s first president, was born at Gatundu and is buried in Nairobi; the family home at Gatundu remains a landmark. After independence the estates were bought out and subdivided, and from the 1990s onward the same land has been converted again, this time into housing for Nairobi.<\/p>\n

    Getting There<\/h2>\n

    Kiambu town is about 15 km north of Nairobi’s centre. Three trunk roads cross the county. The A2 Thika Superhighway runs north-east through Ruiru, Juja and Thika. The A8 Nairobi–Nakuru highway runs west through Kikuyu, Limuru, Uplands and Kinungi. The Northern and Eastern bypasses link the two.<\/p>\n

    The Nairobi commuter rail network runs to Ruiru, Juja and Thika on the metre-gauge line, and the Nanyuki branch continues north through Makuyu. Matatus run constantly from Nairobi to every town in the county. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, on the Nairobi–Machakos boundary, is 30 to 45 minutes from most of Kiambu.<\/p>\n

    FAQ<\/h2>\n

    What is the capital of Kiambu County?<\/h3>\n

    Kiambu town is the county headquarters, about 15 km north of central Nairobi. It is not the county’s largest town; Ruiru is.<\/p>\n

    How many towns and villages are in Kiambu County?<\/h3>\n

    308 towns, villages and trading centres are mapped in Kiambu County. The 250 largest and best documented are listed on this page.<\/p>\n

    What are the sub-counties of Kiambu?<\/h3>\n

    Twelve, matching the constituencies: Gatundu South, Gatundu North, Juja, Thika Town, Ruiru, Githunguri, Kiambu, Kiambaa, Kabete, Kikuyu, Limuru and Lari.<\/p>\n

    What is the largest town in Kiambu County?<\/h3>\n

    Ruiru, with 490,120 residents at the 2019 census, followed by Kikuyu and Thika.<\/p>\n

    What is the population of Kiambu County?<\/h3>\n

    The 2019 census counted 2,417,735 people, making Kiambu the second most populous county in Kenya after Nairobi.<\/p>\n

    Which counties border Kiambu?<\/h3>\n

    Murang’a, Nyandarua, Nakuru, Kajiado, Nairobi and Machakos.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Kiambu is county 022 of Kenya’s 47, in the former Central Province, with its capital at Kiambu town. The 2019 census counted 2,417,735 residents across 2,449.2 km², about 987 people per km² — the highest of any county outside Nairobi and Mombasa. Kiambu wraps around Nairobi on the north and west, and most of its […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"Kiambu County: Towns, Villages, Population & Map","_seopress_titles_desc":"Kiambu County (022), Central Kenya: capital Kiambu town, 2,417,735 people (2019), 2,449.2 km2, 12 sub-counties, with 250 of 308 towns and villages listed.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":""},"class_list":["post-15","central","type-central","status-publish","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/central\/15","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/central"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/central"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}