Karuri
Karuri | |
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Karuri is a town in Kiambu County. The town hosts a town council.
The Council borders the city of Nairobi to the south for about 20 km from Nairobi City, Kikuyu Town Council to the west, Limuru Municipal Council to the north and Kiambu Municipal Council to the east. It covers an area of 46 km2. with a population of 194,342 (2019 census).
The council's main town, Karuri, was established as a meeting centre in the pre-colonial era where Kikuyu paramount chiefs would meet for deliberations. The town derives its name from the principal chief Karuri Wa Gakure who would travel from Tuthu in the slopes of Aberdare Range to meet his counterparts like Kinyanjui Gathirimu.
Economy
Proximity to the city of Nairobi and adequate transportation have attracted many people working in Nairobi and other neighbouring towns to the few urban centres within the town council in search of cheaper accommodation. In many circles, the Council has always been referred to as the "Dormitories" of Nairobi.
The town serves as the divisional headquarters for
Geography
The council falls in the Hinterland, which has fertile soils that are well drained. The council enjoys good climatic conditions as do most areas in Kenya's central region. The council lies in the east highlands of the Rift Valley, enjoying a moderate climate, and within a coffee-growing zone, although bordering a tea-growing zone.
Hills, plateaus and high-level structural plains that make it fairly easy for the development of road network characterize Karuri Town Council. The area does not have major rivers. The altitude ranges between 1500 and 1800 metres above sea level.
The soils are developed on undifferentiated tertiary
Other physical features include steep slopes and valleys that are unsuitable for cultivation.
Rainfall regime around Karuri is
Administration
The council consists of four
The four wards elect one councillor each. The total number of councillors is six with one
Demographics
According to the 1979 census the area had a population of 45,000. In the 1989, census the population had grown to 73,000, and 105,506 in the 1999 census. The population has been growing tremendously as a result of the influx of working-class people from Nairobi coming to look for cheaper and convenient accommodation in this township. Many people working in Nairobi reside in the periphery towns like Gachie, Kihara, Ruaka, Ndenderu, and Karuri. Market centres attract people because they offer business and employment opportunities.
The population growth rate around Karuri stands at 2.87%. The same growth rate has been used to compute the population projection of this council.
Population analysis per the