A rural town that is changing with time

By Ferdinand Mwongela

The name Thika conjures up images of rows of inviting pineapples or the ferocious dogs that guard the huge plantations.

Commercial and residential buildings in Thika. Despite its size and activities, the town is unhurried.

That is Thika district, however, Thika town is a different kettle of fish. Situated about 40km from Nairobi off the Nairobi-Thika highway, it stands as a loner of sorts. Initially touted as Kenya’s industrial town, a billboard welcoming you into the town calls it the "Birmingham of Kenya". Unlike the UK town, which became known as the "workshop of the world" due to its role in the industrial revolution, Thika’s industrial claims reek of impotence.

It has, however, served as an agricultural centre and is fast turning into an educational hub with the likes of Mt Kenya University, Thika Institute of Technology and other tertiary training institutions.

Despite its size and activities, Thika has managed to remain unhurried, a far cry from its neighbour Nairobi, where people rushing nowhere would readily kill if you slowed down ahead of them on the sidewalk.

Traffic jam

Like all areas close to the city, Thika is growing fast and some people working in the capital can commute daily to their homes here. On light traffic days, a trip can take an hour or less, almost the same time it takes one to get to Eastlands from the Nairobi CBD. On days when the infamous Thika Road traffic jam tightens up, even prayers will not help.

Prices for residential houses in and around Thika differ with a three-bedroom apartment selling at between Sh2.5 million to Sh3.5 million or more. Along the Thika-Garissa highway, one can get a three-bedroom apartment for Sh2.9 million. A three or four bedroom bungalow will cost between Sh6 million and Sh7.5 million. On the outskirts of the town, a quarter acre serviced residential plots go for as much as Sh800,000 to Sh900,000. This is much higher inside the town.

Insecurity here is not alarming yet given the ease by which we were able to access a posh estate close to the town and wander about on one of the taller buildings looking for a way to the roof. All the while not a soul questioned what we were doing or even asked for our identification.

Riverside Estate near the town centre is the home of the rich, barricaded behind concrete walls and kei apple fences with huge bungalows peeping. One of the ways out of Thika crosses River Chania, whose cascading waters and towering tree canopy present a picture-perfect ambience.