Thika Superhighway, Nairobi - Thika Road, Kenya

 

The Thika Superhighway is also known as the Thika Road or the Nairobi - Thika Superhighway. 

The 8-lane highway, and 12-lane in some sections, is about 50km.  

It connects Nairobi city to Thika town and thus links Nairobi and Kiambu counties.

The Thika superhighway is a segment of the A2 Highway that links the Tanzania and Ethiopia border points of Namanga and Moyale in Kenya. 

Also, the A2 Highway is a component of the Great North Road or the Pan African Highway, which links Cape Town in South Africa to Cairo in Egypt. 

Construction of the Highway was between January 2009 and November 2012, and the launch was by President Mwai Kibaki. 

The project cost was Ksh. 32 billion.

Residential areas along the superhighway include Ngara, Pangani, Muthaiga, Ruaraka, Kasarani, Roysambu, Githurai, Kahawa Wendani, Kahawa Sukari, Ruiru, Juja, and Thika. 

The road travel duration from Nairobi CBD to Thika is about 40 minutes.

Economic activities in Kiambu and Nairobi counties increased significantly after the construction of the Thika Superhighway due to effective and efficient travel, service delivery, and transportation of products. 

Banana Town, in Kiambu County Kenya

 

The geographical location of Banana town is in the Banana Hill area of Kiambaa Constituency, Kiambu County, Kenya. 

Distance of Banana town from Nairobi CBD, through the Limuru Road, is about 20km.

Banana town is economically vibrant due to the presence of diverse small scale and medium-size businesses.  

Examples of the businesses in the town include microfinance institutions, hardware, garages, clubs, restaurants,  mobile money agents, taxis, and  banks.

The town is surrounded by small, medium, and large-scale farming interests, especially in the sectors of fruits, flowers, dairy, vegetables, tea, and coffee.

Real estate sector in the town is competitive as their are modern apartments that accommodate the business and working residents in the town and surrounding urban environments of Kiambu town, Ruaka town, and Nairobi .

British colonial soldiers has an impact in naming Banana town due to the presence of green scenery provided by banana plantations. 

The town is diverse as it has residents from different Kenyan communities, refugees, and foreign nationals. 

Accessibility of the town is easy due to good road network and affordable public transportation services. 

As part of the Nairobi metropolitan area, Banana town is in a good position to expand and address the competitive needs of the modern, diverse, and increasingly youthful population. 

 

Karatina Town, in Nyeri County, Kenya

 

The location of Karatina town is in Nyeri County, Kenya.

It is along the Nairobi - Nyeri Highway, approximately 25km from Nyeri Town. 

It is a historical area in the central Kenya region as it hosted a famous open-air market, for barter trade, in the pre-colonial era. 

The name of the town, 'Karatina,' was derived from the trading venue, which was under a 'muratina' tree. 

During the Second World War, the first factory was established in the town to provide dried vegetables and fruits.

Currently, the town provides a mix of urban and rural experiences. 

Modern lifestyle is enhanced by the presence of major retail outlets in the town; for example, Maguna Supermarket and Maathai Supermarket. 

Rural  nature of the town is shown by numerous small and mid-sized agricultural activities including tea, coffee, dairy, and tree farming.

Main institution of higher learning in the town is the Laikipia University, which attracts diverse undergraduate and graduate students.

Karatina town has attractive agricultural and economic potential due to resumption of railway services and completion of the modern Kenol-Marua dual carriageway.