Thika
Thika (pronounced [ˈθika]) is an industrial town in Central Province, Kenya, lying on the A2 road 40 km north east of Nairobi, near the confluence of Thika River & Chania River. Thika has a population of 200,000[1] and is growing rapidly, as is the entire greater Nairobi area. The elevation of Thika is approximately 1631 meters in altitude.
Thika is home to the Chania Falls and the Thika Falls, while Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park lies to its south east. The town has a railway station, but currently there is only limited passenger service with only cargo trains operating although there are plans to extend the proposed light rail system to Thika in the future. The town is currently the headquarters of Thika West district following the split of the larger Thika district (created in 1994) into five districts; Thika East and Thika West, Ruiru, Gatundu, Gatanga. It is also the seat of the South Central regional commissioner (deputy Provincial Commissioner) for Central Province appointed by president Mwai Kibaki in 2009 who is in-charge of the larger Kiambu, Thika and Murang'a districts. However, under Kenya's new constitution which has recognizes only the 47 districts in existence before 1992 as semi-autonomus counties, Thika falls under Kiambu County. Although, Kiambu Town is expected to be the new county headquarters, Thika should remain as the main commercial center.
The town is famous as the prime pineapple-growing region in Kenya, the Chania and Thika falls near the confluence of the respective rivers and as a gateway to the "Fourteen Falls" near Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park which is used as a popular picnic and corporate recreational site. Thika is also known as a center for light industry especially in food & horticulture processing. However, the decline of the textile industry has hit local firms such as Kenya Textile Mills (KTM), which was a cotton to fabric manufacturer that competed against Egyptian & Chinese manufacturers. Nevertheless, recent growth has been accentuated by the growth of the service sector especially in education & finance.
The Flame Trees of Thika (Memories of an African Childhood) is a book by Elspeth Huxley, later adapted for television by Euston Films for Thames Television. It describes the life of English settlers in the "White Highlands" in Edwardian times. A flame tree turns entirely reddish orange in June each year, depending on the previous rainfall.
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[edit] History of Thika
There are two explanations for the name Thika. One has its origin in the Kikuyu word Guthika, meaning to bury. During a great drought, the Maasai ventured outside of their normal territories looking for water for their huge herds of cattle. Two rivers pass through Kikuyu land, River Thika and Chania, both providing sustenance for the agricultural Kikuyu. With this water in contention, and both tribes desperate for survival, they fought a bloody battle that left few survivors. A mound near Blue Posts Hotel supposedly is where the dead warriors were buried. Thika was also used a memorial burial site for soldiers who fought in WWII.
The other explanation come from the Maasai word Sika meaning "rubbing something off an edge". In addition, the area was also inhabited by the Akamba tribe and hence was a border region between three communities.
Towards the end of the 19th century, outsiders began to settle in this outpost as a convenient resting spot between Nairobi and the upcountry highlands for British settlers. Europeans and Asians began to stop and remain at Thika, the former setting up farms, and the latter setting up shops. A monument in the shape of a pillar was erected by the British in the early 1900s in the central business district of Thika, it commemorates the founding of Thika as a town. The town was given its status by the government gazette in 1924. Thereafter it was elevated to a municipality when Kenya gained independence in 1963, and the first Mayor was enthroned in 1968.
The town has historical sites like the Mugumo Gardens which is named for the giant fig tree where the ancient legendary seer "Mugo wa Kibiro" prophesied. Believers claim that all of his prophesies have come to pass. According to legend, the fall of the tree would symbolise the fall of British rule in Kenya. The British Government reinforced the tree to prevent it from falling, but it split into two parts and fell in two stages in 1963. This Land is said to have belonged to the first president Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
[edit] Economic activities
Thika is externally serviced by a dual carriage way to Nairobi (currently been expanded into a eight-lane superhighway with a completion date of April 2012), a highway to Garissa & the rest of Northeast Kenya, a highway to the Central highlands and also a railway line (with plans to add a passenger light rail to Nairobi). Internally, the town has a well-maintained road network. The main economic activities of the town include agricultural processing, particularly in horticulture & pineapple (exports mainly to Europe), coffee (exports mainly to the USA and Europe), cooking oils( rest of Kenya and Eastern Africa) & animal feed processing. Other industries include textile (cotton), macadamia nuts, wheat, tannery, motor vehicle assemblies, cigarette manufacturing, bakeries, packaging & industrial chemicals. About one hundred small scale industries and about twenty major factories exist in and around the town. The service sector is also well represented with the growth & establishment of a number of educational & financial institutions. Thika is currently home or close to three universities, tens of middle level colleges, hundreds of secondary and primary schools & dozens of financial institutions.
Thika also has a bustling nightlife, modern recreational centers & significant retail trading operations. The growth of greater Nairobi region and improved infrastructure & services has also led to new residential estates.
[edit] Geography
The town is located on a gentle plain before the ascent into the central highlands. Small valleys are present on the Western and Northern edges following the Chania and Thika Rivers that have waterfalls and meet on the North Western edge of the town. The climate is moderate tropical with sunshine most of the year round and typical average temperatures of 25°C during the day with the hottest period in January & February leading to the long rains and the coldest in July after. The "long rains" season occurs from March/April to May/June. The "short rains" season occurs from October to November/December.
[edit] Local Government
The local government consists of a thirteen-member Municipal Council, with responsibilities for various governmental functions delegated to appointed committees. The Mayor is currently chosen from one of the elected or nominated Councillors for one year terms. However, with the new constitution, the Mayor will be directly elected by the populace for a five year terms starting from 2012. The Council sets the policies and by-laws while the day-to-day running is managed by the Town Clerk seconded from the Local Government ministry.
The town in 2008 signed a sister city agreement with Dixon, Illinois to create new economic, cultural and social opportunities. [2]
[edit] Top Companies
| # | Company |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fresh Delmonte Kenya |
| 2 | Bidco Oil Refineries |
| 3 | Thika Coffee Mills |
| 4 | Broadway Bakeries |
| 5 | Kel Chemicals |
| 6 | Metal Box |
| 7 | Chania Food Mills |
| 8 | Equity Bank |
| 9 | Muramati Sacco |
| 10 | Kakuzi |
[edit] Universities & Major Colleges in Thika
- Mount Kenya University
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
- Gretsa University
- Amboseli Institute
- International Centre of Technology
- St John Kilimambogo Teachers Training College.
- Thika Institute of Science and Technology
- Thika Technical Institute
- Thika College of Banking
- Kenya Institute of Management
- Excel Institute of Professionals
- Reward Institute of Professional Studies
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- http://web.thikamunicipal.com/index.php/home
- thikaonline.co.ke
