Virtual Trips Kenya: Athi River

ATHI RIVER

It will be helpful to state, from the outset, that there are three Athi Rivers:

1. The River Athi

2. Athi River town

3. Athi River district

River Athi is Kenya’s second-longest river and has its origins around the Ngong Hills area. From there it traverses the Athi-Kapiti plains on its way to the Indian Ocean which it pours into at Malindi on the Kenyan coast. At its lower stages the river is also known as the Sabaki or Galana. Not too far from the main Athi river is a smaller, seasonal river known as the Stony Athi.

Athi River town is located off Mombasa Road, about 30 kilometres south of Nairobi. The old, dusty town is predominantly an industrial centre. One of the oldest industries here is the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) slaughterhouse. The government-run abattoir processes meat products for export. While its products are delicious, the facility is notorious for the unpleasant stench it emits frequently as a result of the waste matter from animalslaughter processes.

In addition to being an industrial centre, Athi River town is also a government administrative centre. The sub-county (constituency) here is known as Mavoko and is part of Machakos County.Previously, Mavoko was part of the larger Kathiiani constituency in Machakos district.

Other facilities to be found in Athi River town include a municipal market, Athi River District Hospital, the Kenya Meat Institute, banks, and Law Courts.

Athi River district is the vast area after Mlolongo Township all the way to the Lukenya Hill. Limestone is abundant in the area and there are a number of cement factories to be found here. Some of these include Mombasa Cement, Bamburi Cement, East Africa Portland Cement, Savannah Cement, and National Cement.

One of the significant industries located in this area is the Athi River Export Processing Zone which covers the area between East Africa Portland Cement staff quarters and Kitengela.

Athi River district is one of the few areas around Nairobi that still has open space for human settlement. The area is now a major residential area serving those who work anywhere between Nairobi city and Machakos town.

Athi River town hosts old estates such as Makadara, Embakasi, and ‘Site’. There are, however, many newer estates that have sprung up in the wider district, particularly on your left as you drive from Nairobi towards Machakos. One of the first ones to have come up is Valley View Estate just after Mlolongo.Next is Sheshe Gardens,and not far from there is Delta Plains, in the area locally known as Sabaki. Further down the highway one encounters Everest Park and Blue Hills View estates. Further off the highway are beautiful developments such as Lapfund Gardens, Sunset Boulevard, Pine City, and Graceland. Much further down Mombasa Road, past KMC, is Sidai Village.The last major estate isthe beautiful Green Park development, which is next to the Stony Athi. Interspersed with these major estates are individual bungalows and maisonettes.

Athi River district is well served with schools. The most notable ones are Lukenya Academy, Anthena School, Kiuini Preparatory, Star Sheikh Academy, and a couple of public schools. We must also remember that Daystar University’s main campus is to be found in Athi River, at the foot of the Lukenya Hill.

Athi River has been predominantly inhabited by the Kamba ethnic group, but the area is fast becoming cosmopolitan. As Nairobians settle in areas such as Ongata Rongai, Ngong, Ruai, and Kitengela, they are also moving to Athi River.