Nyahururu
| Nyahururu | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
|
Thomson's Falls in Nyahururu. | |
| Country |
 Kenya |
| County | Laikipia County |
| Elevation | 2,303 m (7,556 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 36,450 |
| Website | http://www.nyahururu.net/ |
Nyahururu is a town in Kenya, lying east of Nakuru. It is located in Laikipia County. Despite this, Nyahururu formerly functioned as the administrative capital of Nyandarua County, before it became a county, until the headquarters was shifted to Ol Kalou. There have been calls for a reversal.[1] The town has an urban population of 36,450.[2]
History
Nyahururu was founded as Thomson Falls after the 243ft(74m) high Thomson's Falls on Ewaso Narok river, a tributary of the Ewaso Nyiro River, which drains from the Aberdare mountain ranges. It is on the Junction of Nyeri-Rumuruti road and the Nyeri-Nakuru road. The town grew around a railway from Gilgil opened in 1929 (now effectively abandoned). The town was once an important player in the timber milling industry, and the now defunct National Pencil Company had a factory there. It is also an important milk processing hub.
Economy & People
The region around Nyahururu is mainly agricultural. To the North Ol Ngarua is famous for its maize, while Shamata to the south is a major producer of potatoes. Lately, flower farming has brought new life to Nyahururu. Suera Flowers is a pioneer in this venture. The cool temperate weather, land availability and cheap labor may be some of the attractions to flower farming.
The town is also a commercial center. It has many supermarkets such as Spears and Mugo supermarkets. Large banks in Kenya also have their branches situated in the town. Some of the banks in Nyahururu town are Equity, Faulu Kenya and Kenya Women Microfinance Bank Limited.
Nyahururu is also frequented by marathon and cross-country runners for practicing before major events due to its high altitude.
Samuel Wanjirŭ, the Olympic Marathon Record holder and the first Kenyan to win the Marathon at the Olympics, called Nyahururu home until his death on May 16, 2011. Other notables from Nyahururu are John Ngŭgĭ and Godffrey Gitahi Kariuki.
Education
Laikipia University has two campuses,one within and the other on the outskirts of Nyahururu town. The town also has several highly sought after private schools. Some of the large schools within Nyahururu Town are Busara Forest View Academy and Nyahururu Ellite Schools.
The Pan African School of Theology, an evangelical theological college founded in 2006, is located near the town. Another Bible school is the Emmanuel Bible Institute. The Institute offers diplomas and certificates in theology. It also offers courses in music and various instruments.
Incidents
In 2010, Nyahururu was the site of an internationally reported incident in which police rescued a woman who was under threat of lynching after she shoplifted two Bibles from a supermarket.[3]
See also
References
- ↑
- ↑ http://kenya.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/profiles/Laikipia_Dec2011%2036.pdf
- ↑ James Munyeki, Mob attacks woman caught stealing Bible in the Standard (Kenya), 2010 June 25 (accessed 2010 June 24).
Coordinates: 0°2′N 36°22′E / 0.033°N 36.367°E