Kamburu Ward: A Comprehensive Analysis of Lari Constituency's Growing Region.
Kamburu ward represents one of the five administrative divisions within Lari Constituency, a predominantly rural area in northwestern Kiambu County. This report examines the geographical, demographic, economic, and infrastructural characteristics of Kamburu ward while analyzing current real estate trends and development initiatives. The analysis reveals a region with significant agricultural activity, ongoing infrastructure improvements, and a gradually evolving property market that reflects both local economic conditions and proximity to major transportation corridors.
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Geographic and Administrative Context.
Kamburu ward is situated within Lari Constituency, which covers approximately 439.20 square kilometers, making it the largest sub-county in Kiambu in terms of size. The constituency is characterized by its mountainous topography, with parts lying on an escarpment of the Great Rift Valley between Gitithia and Kijabe locations. Lari’s geographical boundaries encompass Kinangop to the North, Limuru to the South, Githunguri and Gatundu North constituencies to the east, and Naivasha Constituency to the west.
Administratively, Kamburu is one of five wards in Lari Constituency, alongside Kinale, Kijabe, Nyanduma, and Lari/Kirenga. The area is a sub-location within Gatamaiyu Location in Lari district. The constituency as a whole falls under the national government as a District with administrative offices in Kimende Township, further divided into 22 locations. Under the County Government of Kiambu, Lari functions as a sub-county headed by a Sub-County administrator.
The region experiences a relatively cold climate due to its location on the windward side of the Aberdare Range, resulting in considerable annual rainfall. A substantial portion of Lari Sub-County’s land is under forest cover, including Uplands Forest, Kireita Forest, Kinale forest, Kamae forest, and parts of the large Kikuyu Escarpment Forest.
Demographic and Economic Profile.
According to available data, Kamburu ward has an adult population of 12,929, contributing to Lari Constituency’s total population of 123,895 (60,632 males and 63,263 females). The constituency has approximately 30,779 households and 52,835 registered voters. Population density in Lari Sub-County stands at 313 people per square kilometer as of 2019 data.
The economic landscape of Kamburu is predominantly agricultural, with dairy farming and tea farming serving as the major economic activities in the area. This aligns with the broader agricultural character of Lari Constituency, which derives its name from the Maasai language meaning “the place of green grass,” historically serving as reserve grazing ground for the Maasai Community.
Land and Property Market
The real estate market in Kamburu ward and the broader Lari Constituency reflects its rural character, with land prices varying based on location, plot size, proximity to main roads, and available amenities.
Farm Land for Sale in Kamburu Lari – Land Prices in Kamburu.
Current listings show a plot in Kamburu Town with amenities including “clean water bore hole, electricity, napier grass, and a 2-bedroom Mabati structure” priced at KSh 2,600,000. This represents the only specific listing for Kamburu ward in the search results, suggesting limited formal real estate activity compared to other parts of Lari.
Land Prices in Broader Lari Constituency.
To contextualize Kamburu’s property market, land prices throughout Lari Constituency vary considerably:
- Small residential plots (50 by 100 feet) in areas like Uplands near Lari police station are priced around KSh 1,300,000.
- Quarter-acre plots (100 by 100 feet) in areas like Gitithia, Uplands are available for approximately KSh 2,000,000.
- Larger agricultural parcels such as 3 acres in the Escarpment area are listed at KSh 12,500,000.
- Medium-sized plots like 0.75 acres in Uplands (Nyambari) are priced at KSh 7,500,000.
- Land with strategic locations such as 1.7 acres in Kijabe, Lari is marketed at KSh 7,000,000.
For comparison, the average price of land for sale in the broader Kiambu County is approximately KSh 9,000,000, with prices ranging from KSh 1,200,000 upward depending on location and features. In the Kiambu Tea Zone area (Ngorongo Tea Factory), a half-acre plot is priced at KSh 8,500,000, with the seller noting that a standard 50 by 100 feet plot in Kiambu typically costs from KSh 3 million.
Infrastructure and Facilities.
Kamburu’s infrastructure reflects its rural setting while benefiting from key facilities that serve local residents.
Education Facilities.
The ward is served by several educational institutions, including:
- Primary schools: Kamburu Primary School, Gathima Primary School, and Nyamuthanga Primary School.
- Secondary schools: Kamburu Secondary School, Gathima Secondary School, and Kahunira Secondary School.
Water Resources.
A notable feature in the area is Ruiru Dam, which supplies a portion of water to Nairobi residents. Additionally, there appears to be a Kamburu Water Project, though specific details are limited in the available information.
Transportation Network.
While specific transportation infrastructure within Kamburu ward is not detailed in the search results, the ward benefits from the broader constituency’s transportation network, which includes:
- The Mombasa-Kampala railway passing through the constituency with two railway substations: Uplands Substation and Matathia Substation
- The Nairobi-Nakuru Highway (A104 road) cutting across the constituency from Nyambari Shopping Center through Kimende and exiting at Soko Mjinga Vegetable Market
- Three other major roads: Uplands-Githunguri road, Kimende-Kagwe-Githunguri road, and Gichiengo-Kijabe road
It’s worth noting that most roads in the constituency are not tarmacked, potentially affecting accessibility within Kamburu ward.
Administrative and Health Services.
The chief’s camp is located on the road connecting Kamburu and Githunguri. Many residents in Kamburu prefer commuting to Githunguri to access services like health services and administrative services. Within the broader constituency, healthcare facilities include Kijabe Mission Hospital (the largest private health facility in the area) and Lari Health Center (the largest government health institution).
Recent Development Projects.
Several development initiatives are underway or recently completed in Lari Constituency, including projects directly affecting Kamburu ward.
Market Development.
A significant upcoming project is the proposed construction of Kamburu Market in Kamburu Ward. The tender for this project has a reference ID of 108143875 and was scheduled to close on October 4, 2024. This market development represents a substantial infrastructure investment specifically targeted at Kamburu ward and will likely enhance local commerce and economic activity once completed.
In the neighboring Kijabe ward, there is also a proposed construction of Kimende Market Complex, indicating a broader push for market infrastructure development throughout Lari Constituency.
Educational Infrastructure Improvements.
The current Lari MP, Joseph Mburu Kahangara, has been actively involved in renovating educational facilities in the constituency. He recently inaugurated 12 newly renovated classrooms at Nyamweru Primary School in Lari-Kirenga Ward, bringing the total number of refurbished classrooms in the school to 23 by 2024. These renovation works, funded through the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), included new painting, re-roofing, tiling, and replacement of dilapidated iron-sheet structures.
Additionally, the MP announced the launch of the “Tap to Eat” feeding programme for all primary schools in Lari set for the second term, requiring each student to contribute Sh20 daily for meals. This initiative aims to reduce the cost burden on parents while improving student nutrition and attendance.
Conclusion
Kamburu ward represents a typical rural settlement within Lari Constituency, characterized by agricultural activities, developing infrastructure, and a gradually evolving property market. The area maintains its agricultural heritage with dairy and tea farming while benefiting from ongoing infrastructure developments like the proposed Kamburu Market. Land prices in the area remain relatively affordable compared to the broader Kiambu County average, with proximity to transportation corridors and available amenities being key price determinants.
The ward’s future development trajectory will likely be influenced by the completion of proposed infrastructure projects, continued educational improvements, and its strategic position within Kiambu County. As transportation networks improve and market facilities develop, Kamburu may experience increased economic activity and potentially higher property values, though it is likely to maintain its predominantly rural character in the near term.
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