kikuyu town

Kikuyu is a town in Kiambu County, about 20 kilometres from Nairobi CBD. Population is over 330,000, making it one of the largest towns in the county. It’s been growing fast, and the main reason is the Southern Bypass.

The Southern Bypass Effect

Kikuyu is the only town sitting directly on the Southern Bypass, the highway connecting Mombasa Road to Waiyaki Way without going through Nairobi CBD. This has been the single biggest driver of growth. Commute times dropped dramatically, and residential and commercial development followed. Kikuyu is also on the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway, giving residents multiple routes into the city.

Schools

Kikuyu hosts two of Kenya’s best national schools: Alliance High School (boys, founded 1926) and Alliance Girls High School. Alliance’s alumni include former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai, and former VP Moody Awori. Having two top national schools makes the area very attractive for families.

Kikuyu Eye Hospital

Part of PCEA Kikuyu Hospital (established 1908), the eye unit started in 1975 with Christoffel Blinden Mission. It handles over 70,000 patients and 10,000+ surgeries a year. Services include glaucoma treatment, paediatric eye care, vitreoretinal procedures, and an optical shop. It’s one of the leading eye care facilities in East Africa.

Weather

Mild and pleasant year-round. Average temperatures of 18°C to 23°C, lows around 13°C. Rainfall averages 1,012mm per year, wettest in April and May. The cool climate is a big draw for people moving out of Nairobi.

Agriculture

The area around Kikuyu is fertile. Farmers produce maize, beans, potatoes, cabbages, tomatoes, coffee, tea, macadamia nuts, and flowers. There’s also dairy farming, poultry, and beekeeping. Produce goes to local markets and Nairobi through cooperatives and traders.