Ndarugo, Gatundu South: A Comprehensive Area Profile

Ndarugo is one of the four wards within Gatundu South Constituency, a region experiencing notable infrastructure development and maintaining strong agricultural traditions.

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Geographical and Administrative Context

Gatundu South Constituency is an electoral region in Kiambu County, with its administrative headquarters situated in Gatundu Town. Established before the 1997 General Elections, it emerged from the division of the larger Gatundu Constituency into Gatundu South and Gatundu North. The constituency is relatively modest in scale, ranking 182nd out of 210 in size and 165th in population nationwide.

The constituency comprises four distinct wards: Kiamwangi, Kiganjo, Ndarugo, and Ng’enda, all falling within the jurisdiction of Kiambu County Council. Currently, Gabriel Kagombe serves as the Member of Parliament, having succeeded Moses Kuria in the 2022 elections.

Geographically, Gatundu South is characterized by its position in Kenya’s lower highland zone, featuring a landscape of hills, plateaus, and high-elevation plains. The region sits at an altitude ranging from 1,500 to 1,800 meters above sea level. From an agro-climatic perspective, it qualifies as a high-potential agricultural zone, with nitisols being the predominant soil type, contributing to its agricultural productivity.

Economic Activities and Agricultural Potential

The economy of Ndarugo and the broader Gatundu South constituency is predominantly agricultural, with the majority of residents engaged in small-scale farming. The region is particularly known for tea cultivation and dairy farming, though additional activities include maize production, horticultural crops, and sheep farming.

The agricultural prominence of the area is evidenced by numerous land listings highlighting tea plantations, with several properties featuring established tea bushes. For example, one notable property in Ndarugu features 8.5 acres with 20,000 mature tea bushes, demonstrating the scale of tea cultivation in the region.

Beyond agriculture, Ndarugo is recognized for stone quarrying, with “Ndarugo stones” representing a significant local product. These machine-cut stones are produced in three standard sizes (4″×9″, 6″×9″, and 9″×9″) and are widely used throughout Kenya’s construction industry.

Land and Property Market Analysis- Land Prices

Land values in Ndarugo and surrounding areas within Gatundu South vary considerably based on location, accessibility, existing improvements, and proximity to amenities. Based on current listings, the following price trends are evident:

Agricultural land with tea bushes commands premium prices, reflecting the established income potential:
- 8.5 acres with 20,000 mature tea bushes in Ndarugu is priced at approximately KSh 4,100,000 per acre.
- 8 acres with tea bushes in Gatundu South is listed at KSh 48,000,000 (approximately KSh 6,000,000 per acre).
Land with road frontage or river access typically attracts higher valuations:
- 2.2 acres fronting a main tarmac road with River Theta access in Kiamwangi: KSh 3,700,000
- 2 acres touching Gatundu-Kiganjo tarmac road: KSh 12,000,000
- 1 acre in Ngenda with tarmac road access and permanent river: KSh 7,000,000
Standard residential plots:
- 50×100 plots along Kenyatta Road: KSh 2,500,000 per plot
- 50×100 plots in Kiganjo Thika with existing rental houses: KSh 3,999,999
Larger agricultural parcels:
- 100 acres in Ndarugu: KSh 9,500,000 (though it’s unclear if this is the total price or per acre)
- 4 acres in Gatundu South: KSh 16,000,000
- 3 acres in Kiganjo Rd with permanent river access: KSh 4,000,000 per acre

Building Materials

The region’s construction industry is supported by local production of Ndarugo stones, which are quarried in Kiambu County. Current prices for these building materials are:

4″×9″ stones: KSh 25 per piece
6″×9″ stones: KSh 25 per piece
9″×9″ stones: KSh 30 per piece.

Transportation costs vary based on destination, with delivery to nearby locations like Ruiru and Juja costing KSh 35 per stone, while transport to further destinations like Kisumu can cost up to KSh 85 per stone.

Infrastructure Development Projects

The Gatundu South constituency, including Ndarugo ward, is experiencing significant infrastructure development aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, water access, and commercial activities:

1. Theta Dam

A major water infrastructure project within Gatundu South, Theta Dam is being constructed inside Kinale Forest across the Theta River. This project encompasses a 17-meter-high compacted earth fill dam, a reinforced concrete spillway, and a 3.5 km pipeline.

Upon completion, the dam will have a storage capacity of 2 billion liters, enabling production of 15,000 m³/day of water to augment both the Ndarugu and Thiririka water projects. This will substantially improve water supply to the upper parts of Gatundu including Gachika, Kiamuoria, Kiganjo, Gatitu, and upper Ndarugu locations.

2. Rwabura Irrigation Development Project

The Rwabura Irrigation Project serves an area extending approximately 2.8km northeast and 2.5km southwest of Gatundu town. Covering about 13.4km² across twenty-six sub-locations, the project encompasses parts of Gatundu South District within three divisions: Ngenda, Kigano, and Ndarugu.

This initiative aims to develop optimal irrigable areas within the Rwabura and Thiririka river systems through efficient water conveyance and storage infrastructure. The project is designed to:

Improve food security in the region
Enhance income levels for local farmers
Boost agricultural productivity
Create employment opportunities and promote agro-based industries

The project will provide irrigation infrastructure for 1,500 acres to support horticultural crop and fruit production, benefiting over 3,000 farmers with projected annual earnings of KSh 390 million and creating employment for approximately 7,500 people.

3. Gitwe Market Development

In Ndarugu ward specifically, the construction of a new modern market at Gitwe represents a significant commercial infrastructure investment. Initiated in March 2024 as a collaboration between national and county governments, this facility is expected to be completed within six months.

The market is designed to accommodate 200 traders in a conducive environment and will include:

Cold storage facilities for farm produce
A daycare center
A breastfeeding café
Food courts
An ICT hub for youth engaged in online work

This development addresses longstanding challenges faced by local traders who previously operated in harsh conditions and is expected to stimulate economic growth in villages throughout Gatundu South.

Conclusion

Ndarugo ward and the broader Gatundu South constituency represent an evolving rural-agricultural area with significant development potential. The region maintains strong agricultural traditions, particularly in tea cultivation and dairy farming, while experiencing substantial infrastructure investments that promise to transform local economic opportunities.

Land prices reflect both agricultural productivity and increasing development potential, with premiums for properties that offer road access, water resources, or established agricultural value. The ongoing infrastructure projects—particularly water resource development, irrigation systems, and market facilities—are likely to enhance property values while improving quality of life and economic prospects for residents.

As these projects reach completion, Ndarugo and Gatundu South appear positioned for continued growth, balancing agricultural heritage with new commercial and residential development opportunities

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2. How has the infrastructure development in Gatundu North impacted property values?

3. Are there any upcoming infrastructure projects in Ngenda?

4. What types of properties are most popular in Gitaru?

5. How is the cost of land in Githunguri compared to other areas in Gatundu South?