By Jaymo Wa Thika
🏘️ Ofafa Estate: Introduction
Ofafa Estate is one of the oldest residential estates in Thika town. Constructed in the late 1950s to early 1960s, it was part of the colonial government’s low-cost housing schemes for African workers. These units provided homes to civil servants, factory employees and low-income earners in a rapidly growing industrial town.
The estate was named after Ambrose Ofafa, a prominent Kenyan African political leader and Nairobi City Council member who was assassinated in 1953. Ofafa was known for advocating for improved housing and welfare for Africans in urban areas, and several estates across Kenya—such as Ofafa Jericho and Ofafa Maringo in Nairobi—were also named in his honour.
Original Inhabitants of Ofafa Estate – Thika
The original inhabitants of Ofafa Estate in Thika were mostly African civil servants, municipal workers and factory employees who were employed in the nearby industries and government offices.
When the estate was constructed in the late 1950s to early 1960s, it was part of the colonial and early post-independence efforts to provide formal housing for African workers as urban migration increased.
These early residents included:
• Workers from Thika Cloth Mills, Bata Shoe Company, K.T.M (Kenya Taitex Mills / Kenya Toray Mills), British American Tobacco (BAT) – Thika Leaf Centre, Metal Box Kenya Ltd. and other nearby industries.
• Employees of the Thika Municipal Council (now under Kiambu County).
• Teachers, nurses, clerks, and other mid-level professionals serving the rapidly growing Thika town.
📍 Location
Ofafa Estate is centrally located within Thika Town, just under 2 kilometers from the Thika Central Business District (CBD).
It sits in a highly strategic and historically significant part of Thika, surrounded by major educational institutions, markets, residential estates, and service areas.
Ofafa directly neighbours the following:
🏘️ Starehe Estate
🏘️ Jamhuri Estate (TUDC)
🏘️ Biafra Estate
🏘️ Ziwani Estate
🏫 Thika High School
🏫 Mount Kenya University – Main Campus
🏫 Thika Technical Training Institute
🏫 General Kago Road Primary School
🔧 Kimilili Garage and Jua Kali Sheds
🛍️ Jamhuri Market
⚰️ Old Thika Cemetery and Thika Muslim Cemetery
Though ideally situated, Ofafa’s strategic location has ironically made it a target for urban renewal and possible displacement under government redevelopment plans.
Political and Administrative Location
Ofafa Estate is located in Starehe Sub-location of Biashara Location within Thika Town Constituency. Politically, it falls within Hospital Ward in Kiambu County.
👥 Estimated Population of Ofafa Estate
As of 2023 estimates, the population of Ofafa estate falls between 4,000 to 6,000 people.
Ofafa has a high population density, especially in areas like Ofafa Mafuriko, due to informal extensions and rental units. Many homes and inner courts, have been converted into rental units, making housing a key economic activity.
Households are a mix of landlords, tenants and extended families.
📐 Approximate Area Covered
Estimated Size: 20 to 25 acres
🧱 Original Houses: A Fading Blueprint of the Past
The original Ofafa houses were built with simplicity and uniformity in mind. Each unit sat on an average 40x80 ft plot, featuring one to two rooms, a small veranda or kitchen, and shared sanitation. Materials included stone walls, corrugated iron roofs, and cement floors.
Today, these homes are visibly aged and deteriorating. Cracked walls, leaking roofs, and rusted fittings are common. Many families have improvised by building extensions, subdividing spaces for rental income, or creating makeshift kitchens and bathrooms.
The situation is worse in Ofafa Mafuriko, a low-lying section frequently affected by flooding.
Ofafa Mafuriko
A portion of Ofafa Estate earned the nickname "Ofafa Mafuriko" (Swahili for "Ofafa Floods") due to its frequent flooding, especially during the rainy season. This area is situated on low-lying terrain, close to natural water drainage paths or seasonal streams, just next to MKU.
The name "Mafuriko" emerged informally from the residents, who would often face:
• Water entering houses during heavy rains.
• Poor drainage systems or clogged trenches.
• Damage to property and disruption of daily life.
Over time, the nickname became permanent, used by both locals and outsiders to refer to that particular section of the estate. It remains a practical example of how urban planning challenges—such as building in flood-prone zones—led to informal naming based on lived experiences.
💸 The Economic Reality
Ofafa is largely home to low- and lower-middle-income earners. Despite being surrounded by major institutions like MKU Thika High and Thika Tech, the economic trickle-down to Ofafa residents remains minimal and inconsistent.
Livelihoods include:
• Small-scale vending (mama mboga, mitumba, Kiosks, food stalls, vibanda businesses and malimali)
• Bodaboda and tuktuk services
• Jua kali artisanship at nearby Kimilili Garage
• Casual Labor: Many residents work in nearby institutions and construction sites as casual and domestic workers.
• Jua Kali Sector: Carpenters, welders, tailors and artisans operate within or near the estate
• Rental Housing: Landlords and sub-tenants are common, especially in the Ofafa Mafuriko section.
Most of the sub-tenants are students due to the proximity to Mount Kenya University, Thika Technical, and Thika High School.
⚠️ Challenges: A Community Under Pressure
Ofafa Estate faces numerous challenges that threaten both its physical existence and the well-being of its residents:
• Poor Housing Conditions – Over 60 years without proper renovation or government maintenance.
• Threat of Eviction – Under the Kenya Affordable Housing Programme, plans to demolish and redevelop the estate have sparked fear among residents who lack formal ownership.
• Poor Drainage and Waste Management – Flooding, especially in Mafuriko, remains a serious hazard.
• Overcrowding – Subdivision of homes has led to congestion and strain on sanitation.
• Unemployment and Low Incomes – Most residents rely on informal jobs and daily hustles.Despite the hardships, Ofafa remains a vibrant, close-knit community. Social life revolves around:
• Thika Community Hall – used for meetings, youth events, and sports such as boxing
• Football tournaments – youth engage in estate and street matches
• Church and school networks – including Elijah Kagiri PCEA and General Kago Primary
• Informal self-help groups and welfare schemes
The estate is well known for its sporting talent, grassroots mobilization, and political awareness.
🍻 Wonderful Bar: Ofafa’s Unofficial Social Hall
In the heart of Ofafa Estate lies a beloved and iconic establishment known simply as "Wonderful Bar."
Wonderful has for decades served as the estate’s main social meeting point, a space where laughter, debates, brotherhood, and community decisions converge.
Wonderful is widely regarded as the estate's “community parliament” where locals discuss politics, sports, estate challenges, evictions and local news.
Many community decisions, including elections of representatives, planning of funerals, weddings, and responses to notices from authorities, are first debated at Wonderful.
Just like Ofafa Estate itself, Wonderful Bar has weathered storms—economic downturns, competition and generational change. Yet it remains standing, loyal to its clientele, and true to its role as the estate’s heartbeat.
🫂 JAMOFASTA: The Voice of the People
The residents of Ofafa, along with neighbours in Jamhuri and Starehe estates, are represented by their community association: JAMOFASTA (Jamhuri, Ofafa, Starehe Residents Association).
This association plays a crucial role in:
• Advocating for residents' rights
• Engaging the county and national government
• Protecting the community against unlawful eviction
JAMOFASTA is the collective voice ensuring that the history and dignity of Ofafa are not swept away by gentrification.
⚠️ Eviction Threats & Affordable Housing Plans
In recent years, residents of Ofafa residents have faced growing pressure from government plans to demolish the old estate and replace it with affordable high-rise housing units under the Kenya Affordable Housing Programme (AHP).
Notices have reportedly been issued, sparking fear and tension among long-term residents. Issues of compensation, relocation, and tenant rights remain unresolved.
The community leaders have so far petitioned the government, demanding inclusive planning and legal clarity.
The potential loss of this space under redevelopment could have serious social consequences, including:
• Rise in youth idleness or crime
• Loss of identity and unity among long-term residents
• Displacement of grassroots programs and community groups
🏁 Conclusion: Ofafa – A Legacy Worth Preserving
Ofafa Estate is not just a collection of old houses; it is a powerful symbol of Kenya’s urban working-class history, built on the dreams of thousands of African workers and their families.
While its walls may be cracked, and its pathways flooded, the estate’s sense of identity, resilience, and unity is stronger than ever.
As redevelopment plans loom, the future of Ofafa should not be decided without its people. It deserves a dignified transformation—one that protects its history, uplifts its residents, and ensures they are not just relocated, but respected.
Ofafa is Thika’s past and present—and with justice, it can be part of its future too.
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