Nyandarua County News

Nyandarua County is a County in the former Central Province of Kenya. Its capital and largest town is Ol Kalou town. Formerly the capital was Nyahururu town, which is now part of the Laikipia County. Nyandarua County has population of 596,268 and an area of 3,304 km².

The County is located on the northwestern part of the Central region of Kenya, west of the Aberdare Ranges. It is characterised by high horticultural productivity involving the small-scale farms. It borders Laikipia county to the North and North East, Nyeri county and Murang’a county to the East, Kiambu county to the South, and Nakuru county to the South West and West.

Nyandarua County has a huge agricultural potential due to the adjacent Aberdare ranges, a rich water tower that supplies the County Rivers throughout the year. The county has had long years of challenges involving the accessibility but the new Dundori-Ol-Kalou-Njabini road has eased the problem.

The road passes through Ndundori, Tumaini,Ol Kalou, Wanjohi and Miharati in Nyandarua Central and Kipipiri districts, passing through Mawingu, Ndunyu Njeru and Engineer in North Kinangop. It connects to the old tarmac road that runs from Fly Over area on the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway at the Njabi-ini Trading Centre in South Kinagop.

Nyandarua Sub-Counties and County Assembly Wards

Kinangop Sub County –  Engineer, Gathara, North Kinangop, Murungaru, Njabini/Kibiru, Nyakio, Magumu, Githabai
Kipipiri Sub County – Wanjohi, Kipipiri, Geta, Githioro
ol Joro Orok Sub County – Gathanji, Gatimu, Weru, Charagita
Ndaragwa Sub County – Leshau/Pondo, Kiriita, Central, Shamata
Ol Kalou Sub County – Karau, Kanjuire Ridge,Milangine, Kaimbaga, Rurii

Climate and Weather of Nyandarua County

Nyandarua County has temperatures ranging between 12°C during the cold months of June and July and 25°C during the hot months of January and February.

The county receives rainfall of between 700 mm and 1500 mm annually. There are usually two rainy seasons i.e long rains in the months of March-April-May and short rains in November.

Economy, Business And Investment Opportunities in Nyandarua County

Agriculture forms the backbone of the economy of Nyandarua County with farming and livestock rearing in large ranches being extensively practised. Areas close to its highland regions receive high rainfall making them suitable for crop agriculture.

The county has good water resources with several rivers such as Malewa, Ewaso Nyiro, and Pesi passing though the county. It also has potential for underground water harvesting with its permeable and impervious bedrock system.

Economic Activities in Nyandarua County

Agriculture is the backbone of the economy of Nyandarua County, mainly due to the county’s fertile soils and favourable climate. The county is known for its high production of potatoes, cabbages, maize and beans that are sold in Nairobi and in other towns in the Kenya. Other crops under cultivation in the county include carrots, kales, tomatoes and peas.

Nyandarua county was a leading producer of pyrethrum in the 1990s, but production of the crop has since gone down due to poor management of the affairs of the sub-sector. Of late, the county has attracted floriculturists who have established large flower farms. Some of the flower farms in the county include Suera, Prima Rosa and Balaji. These flowers are mainly grown for export to countries such as Holland, UK and Germany.

Livestock keeping is also a major economic activity in Nyandarua county. Farmers in the county engage in dairy farming, sheep keeping, beef production as well as poultry rearing.

Tourist Attractions in Nyandarua County

Tourist attractions in the County include:

Aberdare National Park

Category: Tourist Attractions in Nyandarua County

The Aberdare National Park, which sits on 767 square km in the higher areas of the Aberdare Ranges, is home to a huge population of wildlife. Some of the animals that can be spotted here include black rhinoceros, bongo (an elusive antelope), leopard, buffalo and eland among many others. The park is also home to over 240 species of birds including vultures, goshawks and sunbirds.

For more information visit: Aberdare National Park

Thomson’s Falls

Category: Tourist Attractions in Nyandarua County

Thomson’s Falls, situated just a kilometre from Nyahururu town, some 160 km from Nairobi, offers a great stopover for those travelling to the Aberdare National Park from Nakuru. The falls, which drop 72 metres on the Ewaso Narok River, have one of the highest hippo pools in the country.

For more information visit: Thomson’s Falls

Aberdare Mountain Ranges

Category: Tourist Attractions in Nyandarua County

Located about 150 km from Nairobi, offer breathtaking waterfalls and views and are a great place for activities such as camping, hiking and bird watching.

Lake Ol Bolossat

Category: Tourist Attractions in Nyandarua County

The only lake in the former Central Province. The lake is an internationally recognised habitat for birds, with 180 species of birds. It is also home to 15 species of animals including hippopotamus. The lake is a popular destination among lovers of birdlife.

Accommodation and Hotels in Nyandarua County

The County offers top accommodation facilities near the Aberdare National Park such as the Outspan Hotel, Aberdare Country Club, The Ark, Treetops, Naro Moru River Lodge, Red Court Hotel and Sangare Tented Camp.

Others include Thomson’s Falls Lodge, Lake Ol Bolossat Cottages & Guesthouse, Malewa Wildlife Lodge and Kigio Wildlife Camp.

There are also numerous guest houses and low-value lodgings can be found in Ol Kalou and Nyahururu.

Nyandarua County Jobs

Nyandarua County Jobs opportunities for all qualified personnel and those who would wish to work with Nyandarua County government. Jobs in Nyandarua County are posted on the county website.

Jobs in Nyandarua County are awarded in a free, fair and transparency manner in the need to fight corruption in the country.

To access these Nyandarua county jobs advertisement click the link: Nyandarua County Jobs for the latest job opportunities in the county.

Nyandarua County Tenders

Nyandarua county tenders are awarded in a free, fair and transparency manner in the need to fight corruption in the country.

To access tenders in Nyandarua county click the link: http://www.nyandarua.go.ke/tender-notices/ for the latest job opportunities in the county.

Nyandarua County Governor and Deputy Governor

The current governor of Nyandarua County is Hon. Waithaka Mwangi Kirika and the deputy governor is Hon. Daniel Waithaka Mwangi.

Constituencies in Nyandarua County

1. Kipipiri Constituency
2. Ol-Kalou Constituency
3. Ol-Jorok Constituency
4. Ndaragua Constituency

Facts About Nyandarua County

Nyandarua County is Located in Central Kenya, it borders the following Counties: Laikipia to the North and North East, Nyeri and Murang’a to the East, Kiambu to the South, and Nakuru to the South West and West.

 Area (Km 2): 3,245.3 Km2

 Climate/Weather: Temperatures range from a minimum of 2°C to a maximum of 25°C. The rainfall ranges between 700mm and 1,500mm per annum

Road Network: Bitumen Surface (297.3 Km), Gravel Surface (323.4 Km), Earth Surface (434.7 Km)

 Key National Monument(s): Aberdare Ranges

Nyandarua County Population

 Population: 596,268 (Male – 49 %, Female – 51 %)

Population Density: 184 people per Km2

 National Percentage: 1.54 %

 Annual Growth Rate: 3.3%

 Age Distribution: 0-14 years (43.1 %), 15-64 years (52.5 %), 65+ years (4.4 %)

Number of Households: 143,879

Nyandarua County Government

 County Capital: Ol Kalou (Proposed)

Number of Constituencies (2010): 4 (Kinangop, Kipipiri, Ol Kalou, Ndaragwa)

Registered Voters: 239,970

 National percentage: 1.9 %

 Number of Districts (2010): 2 (Nyandarua North, Nyandarua South)

 Number of Local Authorities (2010): 2 (Ol Kalou Town Council and Nyandarua County Council)

 Economy of Nyandarua County

 Poverty Level: 46.3%

 Age Dependency Ratio: 100:91

Resources: Arable Land, Forests, Water, Wildlife

 Tourist Attractions: Eco-tourism, Waterfalls, Lake Ol Bolossat, Aberdare Ranges

 Financial Services: 4 Commercial Banks, 4 Micro-Finance Institutions

 Main Economic Activities/industries: Livestock Keeping, Agro-Processing, Commercial businesses

 Agricultural products: Maize, Beans, Potatoes, Cabbages, Peas, Dairy Products, Fruits

 Education in Nyandarua County

 Number of Institutions (2007): Primary (471), Secondary (149)

 Primary: Enrolment (149,204)

Teacher to Pupil Ratio: 1: 42 (Public Schools)

 Secondary: Enrolment (25,758)

 Teacher to Pupil Ratio: 1:22 (Public Schools)

 Tertiary: Over 10 (Teacher Training College, Technical Colleges, and Several Commercial Colleges)

 Adult Literacy Classes: Enrolment (Data Not Available)

 Health in Nyandarua County

 Health Facilities: 114 – District Hospitals (1), Sub-District Hospitals (1), Dispensaries (55), Health Centres (8), Medical Clinics (42), Nursing Homes (1), VCT Centres (1), Others (5)

Doctor to Population Ratio: 1:10,000

Infant Mortality Rates: 45/1000

Under Five Mortality Rates: 42/1000

Prevalent Diseases: Malaria, Respiratory Tract Infections, Skin Diseases

 Notable Hospitals: Nyahururu District, Ol Kalou Sub-District hospitals

Nyandarua County Contacts

Official Address:

County Goverment Of Nyandarua
P.O BOX 701-20303,OL’ KALOU

Telephone: +254202660859
Telefax:+25420 266 0859

Email: talk2us@nyandaruacounty.or.ke

Nyandarua County Website

Web: http://www.nyandarua.go.ke/

Nyandarua County Map

Nyandarua County Video