info@kiambuassembly.go.ke

Municipalities     Forms      Tenders      Media      Budget       eMail

Background of Kiambu County

The County Government of Kiambu is one of the 47 Counties in the Republic of Kenya that was established under the constitution of Kenya 2010. The County Government as a whole is the successor of the defunct Local Authority and operates under the County Governments Act and a host of other statutes.

Kiambu County is located in the Central Highlands of Kenya, in the former Central Province, close to Kenya's capital, Nairobi. Covering an area of 2,543.42 square kilometers, it is also considered one of the wealthiest counties in Kenya. It is a leading innovative commercial hub that shares its borders with five other counties; Nakuru and Kajiado to the West, Murang'a and Nyandarua to the North and Nairobi to the South.

There are several theories that explain the origin of the name Kiambu; one theory suggests that it was derived from a prominent Kikuyu clan known as mbari ya mbuu who used to live next to the current day Kiambu town. Another theory suggests the area used to experience constant showers hence the kikuyu phrase ‘kia mbuu'’ meaning the “place of drizzle.”
The third theory suggests that during the ancient times, Kikuyu’s and Maasai’s would engage in war and the screams from the area would attract the authorities, hence earning the name ‘Kia Mbuu’ meaning ‘Screams’.

Kiambu County constitutes 12 Constituencies; Gatundu South, Gatundu North, Juja, Thika Town, Ruiru, Githunguri, Kiambu, Kiambaa, Kabete, Kikuyu, Limuru and Lari.