The changing face of Thika town

A player tees off during the KCB golf championships at Thika sports club, Kenya. In the past, Thika was Kenya’s industrial hub but this is rapidly changing. Pictures: Chris Omollo

What you need to know:

  • Down the same street is newly opened Beat House Klub. Within Thika Town, entertainment can be had at Thorntons, Legends, Fulilia, Porkies Garden, The Maze and Motions Sports Club which are always filled to capacity.

In the past, Thika was Kenya’s industrial hub but this is rapidly changing. There is an increase in the number of entertainment spots, real estate investors and schools, colleges and universities.

It was once regarded as the “Birmingham of Kenya” due its many factories.

As the sun begins sinking, bars and entertainment spots become beehives of activity, especially as the weekend draws near.

When you approach Thika from the busy Garissa Road, a tent which has been erected outside Club Brown Bottle meets your eye. It is meant to accommodate the huge number of revellers.
At the Kenyatta Highway roundabout is a similar scene but the merrymakers at Club Zinc are being frisked by mean looking “bouncers”.

If you are not interested in these two, you can alight at Thika Arcade on Mama Ngina Drive where you will find yet another huge crowd jostling for space at Club Leo. There is chance that a popular musician is performing live.

Down the same street is newly opened Beat House Klub. Within Thika Town, entertainment can be had at Thorntons, Legends, Fulilia, Porkies Garden, The Maze and Motions Sports Club which are always filled to capacity.

The pleasure seekers mostly comprise college and university students.

Of all the entertainment establishments, Klub Image stands out. It has huge laser lights mounted on the top of the building beaming across the town at night and can be seen as far away as Makongeni on the outskirts of the town.

The construction of the Superhighway has led to real estate business boom.

Apartments and bungalows are being put up daily, changing the face of Thika. It is now easier for residents to commute to Nairobi daily.

The growing demand for residential places by the ever increasing middle class who are hunting for accommodation outside the busy Nairobi is another reason the real estate business has picked up.

Thika is regarded by many as serene.

Its strategic location has enabled entrepreneurs to come up with new ideas on how to integrate real estate development with other amenities such as shopping malls, golf courses and affordable leisure centres.

Some of the real estate investments include Thika Greens, Buffalo Hills, Sunrise and Kisii Estates. Housing units in Kimathi, Starehe, Majengo, Magoko, Ziwani, Jamhuri, Ofafa, Section 2, Section 9, Bondeni and Makongeni still maintain the old look of Thika Town.

Mount Kenya University has transformed the face of General Kago Road which was previously deserted.

Gresta University is on Garissa Road. Apart from the two universities, there are other middle level learning colleges such as Jodan College, Uzuri Institute, Thika Institute of Business, Excel Institute of Professional studies, Kenya Institute of Management, among others.

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