Secrets of the tiny tired towns of Murang’a

Njii-Ithatu (Three Gs), one of the tiny tired towns of Murang’a. [XN Iraki, Standard]

Murang'a is famous as the cradle of the Agikuyu. It is also home to some affluent men and women who made Nairobi their home long before independence. Wattle trees were the first cash crop long before coffee and tea. This crop spawned the first generation of tycoons like the famous Jogoo Kimakia.

Proximity to Nairobi played a role in spawning these tycoons; they were at the right place as uhuru came and already had the basics of capitalism. Overcrowding, resulting from modern medicine and better hygiene planted the seeds of entrepreneurship in this county.