Nyandarua County is a County in the former Central Province of Kenya. Its capital and largest town is Ol Kalou. Formerly the capital was Nyahururu, 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 old Central Province, and contains the Aberdare Ranges.
The county was split into two in 2007: Nyandarua North District and Nyandarua South District. However, with the promulgation in 2010 of new constitution, these have been re-organised as sub counties of Nyandarua County . Daniel Waithaka was elected the first governor of the County 2013 General Election and Francis Kimemia seconds him in August 2017 elections.
Demographics
| Authority | Type | Population* |
|---|---|---|
| Ol Kalou | Town | 47,795 |
| Nyandarua | County | 432,107 |
| Total | – | 479,902 |
| * 1999 census. Source: |
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 233,302 | — |
| 1989 | 345,420 | +48.1% |
| 1999 | 479,902 | +38.9% |
| 2009 | 596,268 | +24.2% |
| 2019 | 638,289 | +7.0% |
| source: |
Administrative divisions
| Sub-County | Population* | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| Kipipiri | 78,893 | Kipipiri |
| Ndaragwa | 85,245 | Ndaragwa |
| North Kinangop | 67,356 | |
| Ol Joro Orok | 65,229 | Ol Joro Orok |
| Ol Kalou | 98,806 | Ol Kalou |
| South Kinangop | 84,373 | Njabini |
| Total | 479,902 | – |
| * 1999 census. Sources:, |
Constituencies
The county has five constituencies and 25 wards
| Constituency | Wards |
|---|---|
| Kinangop Constituency | Engineer, Gathara, North Kinangop, Murungaru, Njabini/Kibiru, Nyakio, Magumu, Githabai |
| Kipipiri Constituency | Wanjohi, Kipipiri, Geta, Githioro |
| Ol Kalou Constituency | Karau, Kanjuire Ridge, Milangine, Kaimbaga, Rurii |
| Ol Jorok Constituency | Gathanji, Gatimu, Weru, Charagita |
| Ndaragwa Constituency | Leshau/Pondo, Kiriita, Central, Shamata |
| Total |
Health
Nyandarua is serviced by several government hospitals; Nyahururu, Ngano. Ol Kalou -JM Kariuki Memorial district hospital, Engineer District Hospital. Mission hospital funded by church and NGO, Dispensary i.e.Mirangine Health Centre and numbers of private hospital.
County hospitals receive patients from all over the county and in case of referral refer them to Nakuru or Nyeri County Referral hospital and then to Kenyatta National Hospital
Best Private Hospitals In Nyandarua County
North Kinangop Catholic Hospital – Contacts: 0713 777 816
Ukweli Medical Clinic
Ngothi Medical Clinic
Njabini Maternity & Nursing Home
Bliss Ol Kalou Medical Centre – Contacts: +254 780 622 554
St Mathews & Sarah Dispensary – Contacts: 0733 391 297
Kipipiri Medical Centre – Contacts: +254 727 868 273
Fr Baldo Catholic Dispensary – Contacts: +254 020 232 4525
Globe Medical Centre – Contacts: +254 771 172 416
Representatives
The county is represented by 25 elected ward representatives 5 MPs, a Women representative, a Senator and a Governor.[8]
In 2013 presidential election the county voters voted for Uhuru Kenyatta with 237,975 a 99% of valid votes.
Nyandarua County has 5 constituencies which are further subdivided into 25 electoral wards which we have listed below.
| CONSTITUENCY | WARDS |
| Kinangop | Engineer |
| Gathara | |
| North Kinangop | |
| Murungaru | |
| Njabini/Kiburu | |
| Nyakio | |
| Githabai | |
| Magumu | |
| Kipipiri | Wanjohi |
| Kipipiri | |
| Geta | |
| Githioro | |
| Ol Kalou | Karau |
| Kanjuiri | |
| Range | |
| Mirangine | |
| Kaimbaga | |
| Rurii | |
| Ol Jorok | Gathanji |
| Gatima | |
| Weru | |
| Charagita | |
| Ndaragwa | Leshau/Pondo |
| Kiriita | |
| Central | |
| Shamata |
Legislature
Current Members of parliament from constituencies in the county are;
| Constituency | Formation | MP Name |
|---|---|---|
| Kinangop | 1988 | HON KWENYA |
| Kipipiri | 1988 | HON KIMUNYA |
| Ol Kalou | 1997 | HON Kiaraho |
| Ol Joro Orok | 2013 | Michael Muchira Mwangi |
| Ndaragwa | 1988 | JEREMIAH KIONI |
| Nyandarua County | 2013 | HON Faith Gitau |
| Nyandarua County | 2013 | [HON GITHIOMI |
Governor
There were three candidates for governorship during 2013 election
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Waithaka Mwangi | TNA | 162,418 |
| David Mwaniki Ngugi | GNU | 19,561 |
| Peter Mwangi Gathimba | NARC | 55,896 |
| Rejected Votes | 2,313 | |
| Total Cast Votes | 240,188 |
Education
Children in Nyandarua can access school with ease. Schools are normally situated a walking distance mostly of less than 3 km (for primary school and high school) with a large number of public and private schools. For tertiary education they are a number of colleges and polytechnic but no university.
Education levels vary drastically with 61% of the population having reached primary school, 19% secondary school and only 2% have a tertiary education level.
One of pioneer school is Nyandarua high School which was opened 29 March 1965 with 71 students. Currently they are other major school among others; Kangui high School, Karima Girls, Shamata Girls, Wanjohi Girls, Magumu, Mukoe, Kagondo, Kihingo, Waka Junior, Njabini, Nyahururu Boys. There has been no University in Nyandarua, until Nyandarua Institute was upgraded to a university college under Dedan Kimathi University of Science & Technology. There are some Technical Institutions like Leshau Polytechnic in Ndaragwa Constituency, at Gordon Centre (Next to Kihingo Catholic Church) – Mutanga Parish. More Tertiary institution are needed.
Secondary Schools in Nyandarua County
Ndaragwa Girls High School
Magomano Secondary School
St. Anuarite Girls High School
Pioneer School
Nyahururu High School
Kipipiri Secondary School
Leshau Boys High School
Njabini Boys High School
Nyahururu Highway Schools
Heni Secondary School
Nyandarua High School
Foothill High School
Elite Senior
Karima Girls High School
Kisima Mixed Secondary School
Investment challenges
Nyandarua County is a productive area for agriculture, manufacturing and processing. There are a number of challenges including lack of a good road network and adequate distribution of electricity and water.
Interested investors both local and in the diaspora can invest in agriculture, manufacturing, processing and housing.
Sport
Nyandarua is known for athletics being home to John Ngugi and Samuel Wanjiru.
Economy
The main economic activity in Nyandarua is farming (crop cultivation and dairy farming). In late 1990s Nyandarua was a leading producer of pyrethrum, however Kenya Pyrethrum Board the parastatal that was given the role of purchasing, processing and marketing the crop collapsed because of poor management and corruption, severely undermining the livelihood of many farmers. Nyandarua county is well known as a giant in potato farming. However, there has been a number of challenges that are associated with farming such as fluctuation of the market, poor roads, and crop diseases. Aberdare forest which covers a larger area of the country, attract local and international tourist who make a positive income to the local society.
Central Kenya Region
Urbanisation
| County | Urbanisation in Central Kenya (Percent) |
|---|---|
| Kiambu County | 60.8 |
| Nyeri County | 34.7 |
| Nyandarua County | 8.9 |
| Muranga County | 36.3 |
| Kirinyaga County | 25.8 |
 Kenya Average | 32.3 |
| Urbanisation by County in Central Kenya |
Wealth and poverty level
| County | Poverty Level in Central Kenya (Percent) |
|---|---|
| Kirinyaga County | 34.2 |
| Muranga County | 28.5 |
| Kiambu County | 19.9 |
| Nyeri County | 26.3 |
| Nyandarua County | 76.6 |
| Kenya Average | 45.9 |
| Poverty level by County |
