KIANG'OMBE: The Hidden Face of Thika’s Urban Growth

By Jaymo Wa Thika,

Historical Background

Nestled in the outskirts of Thika town, beyond sprawling industrial zones and behind the high walls of EPZ factories, lies Kiang'ombe, a low-income informal settlement whose story remains largely untold in mainstream narratives.

Despite being one of the oldest slums in Thika, it has remained in the shadows, often associated with poverty, crime, and illicit alcohol brewing and neglect, but also with resilience, growth, and hope.

Kiang’ombe began taking shape in the late 1970s, early to mid-1980s, during a period of rapid industrialisation in Thika. Initially, the area where Kiang’ombe stands today was a stone quarry and open land. It was not planned or set aside for housing. 

The expansion of textile, manufacturing and food processing industries attracted thousands of rural migrants seeking employment. With Thika’s formal housing system overwhelmed and the cost of rentals in places like Biafra, Majengo and Ofafa rising, many poor laborers had no option but to settle in marginal, undeveloped areas.

Kiang’ombe began as a squatter settlement on public and riparian land not far from the Thika-Garissa Highway in Makongeni area.

The first wave of residents were mostly migrant workers from rural counties such as Murang’a, Kitui, Embu, Machakos, and parts of Central Kenya, who came to Thika in search of work in the textile, pineapple, and manufacturing industries. 

With no alternative, they erected makeshift shanties using mabati (corrugated iron sheets), timber, polythene and mud.

The name “Kiang’ombe” itself loosely translates to “place of oxen” or “land of livestock” in Kikuyu, possibly referring to its former use as grazing land or its marginal nature.

Location, Size & Administrative Details

Kiang’ombe is located in the southern part of Thika town, on the edge of the industrial zone, just off the Thika–Garissa Highway, behind Makongeni Estate.

It is sandwiched between:

• Makongeni Phase 10, 7 and 8

• Kiganjo/Kimuchu area

• Mukira wa Reli

• Thika's industrial belt, including factories and warehouses near the Thika-Garissa Road

Size

The exact land area of Kiang’ombe is approximately 15–25 acres, though boundaries are unofficial and not formally gazetted, due to its informal status.

It is a high-density settlement, with closely packed mabati structures and minimal planning, which makes it one of the most congested spaces per acre in Thika.

Estimated population:

Kiang'ombe is estimated to host between 4,000 and 6,000 residents, most of them low-income earners, casual workers and second-generation slum dwellers.

Registered voters (as per IEBC records and community sources):

An estimated 1,800 to 2,300 registered voters live here under Kamenu Ward in Thika Town Constituency.

Administrative Boundaries

It falls within Kiang’ombe Sub-location (sometimes grouped administratively under Makongeni/Kamenu depending on electoral cycle), Kamenu Location of Makongeni Division.

Politically, it falls under Kamenu Ward in Kiambu County.

Settlement Growth and Challenges (1990s - 2000s)

Through the 1990s, Kiang’ombe grew rapidly in both population and physical size. The settlement remained illegal and unrecognised by government authorities for many years, which meant that residents lacked title deeds, public services or development support.

Life in Kiang’ombe was tough. The community relied on unhealthy water wells, water vendors, illegal electricity connections (commonly referred to as “sambaza”), and self-organised security groups. The area was frequently affected by flooding, fire outbreaks, and sanitation issues. 

Despite the hardships, a strong community network began to emerge. Residents organised around informal savings groups (chamas), churches and NGOs that provided basic support for children and women.

The rise in HIV/AIDS during this period further strained families in Kiang’ombe, with many children becoming orphans and ending up in child-headed households or street situations.

Clashes, Evictions and Political Attention (2005 - 2013)

Kiang’ombe started attracting wider public attention in the mid-2000s, especially during election years, when politicians would visit the slum seeking votes. However, promises of upgrading or relocation were rarely fulfilled.

During this time, land ownership disputes emerged. The land occupied by Kiang’ombe was claimed by private individuals and developers, resulting in threats of eviction. There were several tense stand-offs between residents and landowners, sometimes involving demolitions by local authorities. In one notable case, bulldozers razed several homes in an attempt to clear the land, leading to protests and human rights outcry.

Recent Developments and Transformation Efforts (2013 - Present)

After the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution and the onset of devolved government in 2013, Kiang’ombe began receiving more attention from the County Government of Kiambu. Though still largely informal, there have been efforts to improve the quality of life in the area.

The area has also received support from NGOs and community-based organisations (CBOs), some focusing on school feeding, youth training and waste management.

Despite these efforts, Kiang’ombe continues to struggle with poor infrastructure, drug and alcohol abuse among youth, insecurity, and unemployment. However, the spirit of resilience remains strong among its residents.

Mapping, Household Registration & Promises of Land Rights (2020 – Present)

In recent years, Kiang’ombe has come into focus as part of urban upgrading plans initiated by the County Government of Kiambu in collaboration with national housing and urban development departments.

Mapping and Registration

Around 2022 to 2023, the county launched a household enumeration and mapping exercise. Every structure was numbered and geo-tagged, family details registered, including ID numbers and family size and the residents issued with temporary documentation to prove residence.

This initiative aimed to plan for future slum upgrading, infrastructure and service delivery, prevent illegal evictions and lay groundwork for possible resettlement or in-situ upgrading.

Title Deed Promise

In political campaigns and county forums, leaders promised regularisation of the settlement. This included the issuance of title deeds to long-term residents and provision of basic services like piped water, electricity, drainage and public sanitation blocks.

However, as of mid-2025, most of these promises remain unfulfilled, though pressure from residents’ committees and civil society groups continues to grow.

Social Amenities, Schools & Landmarks in Kiang’ombe

Kiang'ombe itself has no formal public school. Residents rely on nearby schools in Makongeni, Kiganjo/Kimuchu, Athena and some as far as Kiandutu.

A few informal and church-sponsored learning centres (ECD and basic primary levels) serve younger children within Kiang’ombe.

Child drop-out rates remain high, especially among older children who engage in quarry work, bodaboda or petty trade.

Health and Welfare

There is no public health facility that is situated within Kiang’ombe. Residents depend on nearby Makongeni Health Centre, small private clinics and faith-based outreach programs.

Landmarks and Community Spaces

The Kiang’ombe Chief’s Office / Assistant Chief's Office serves as the local administration hub for the settlement.

It handles issues like identity card registration, barazas, household disputes, and security coordination. It is also used as the first point of contact for county and national government outreach.

It is located near the central access point of the slum and a walking distance to the social hall.

The Kiang’ombe Social Hall is one of the most important public landmarks within the informal settlement of Kiang’ombe, Thika. Though modest in size and structure, it plays a critical role in the social, civic, and cultural life of the community.

Conclusion

Kiang’ombe is more than just an eyesore or a slum — it is a working-class village built on the backs of those who have kept Thika’s industries moving. Despite decades of neglect, it remains a symbol of human resilience, and perhaps, of how urban planning can fail — but also how it can be redeemed.

The ongoing mapping and promise of land tenure offer a glimmer of dignity to a people long denied their right to the city. Whether those promises become real or fade into empty political slogans depends on political goodwill, community advocacy and long-term planning.

If there’s anything certain, it is that Kiang’ombe is not just surviving, it is organising, demanding, and hoping.