Ruiru now eyes spot as Kenya's next city

Ruiru could become the fourth city in Kenya if the Ministry of Lands Housing and Urban Development approves the same in accordance with the provisions of Urban areas and Cities Act.

The County Government of Kiambu through the office of the Governor and the county executive have initiated the process for possible granting of Ruiru a city status.

According to Lands, Housing, Physical Planning, Municipal administration and Urban development CEC James Mitambo, Thika and Ruiru Municipalities have a population of more than 580,000 and 480,000 respectively.

The cabinet approved the review of boundaries and status of urban areas in Kiambu after the 2019 census where three municipalities with a population of 250,000 can unify to qualify for the city status.

Mitambo said the Governor has written to CS lands and Urban Development Farida Karoney who will in turn appoint an ad hoc committee to make recommendations.

Martin Kangiri, Programme Coordinator Urban areas Kiambu County, said the population wasn’t the only factor that qualifies Ruiru to become a city but infrastructure and a conducive business environment was key.

“The county government has been working to provide urban infrastructure and institutional frameworks for these urban centres to meet the threshold of a city," he said.

Ruiru sub-county is one of the most populous areas in Kenya, according to data from the 2019 census. It is the sixth most populated urban area in Kenya and, by far, outstrips major towns in the country.

Due to its infrastructure and proximity to Nairobi CBD, Ruiru has over 60 major industries, companies, godowns and a number of higher learning institutions.