Nyahururu

Nyahururu is a town in Kenya, lying east of Nakuru. It is located in Laikipia County. Despite this, Nyahururu formerly functioned as the administrative capital of Nyandarua County, before it became a county, until the headquarters was shifted to Ol Kalou. There have been calls for a reversal. The town has an urban population of 36,450. The town still remains to be a central economic power of the immediate former district of Nyandarua. For that reason, the town has strong economic ties to the two counties.HistoryNyahururu was founded as Thomson's Falls after the 243 ft high Thomson's Falls on Ewaso Narok river, a tributary of the Ewaso Nyiro River, which drains from the Aberdare mountain ranges. It is on the Junction of Ol Kalou-Rumuruti road and the Nyeri-Nakuru road. Settlers were more interested in the rich lands of the neighboring environments. Lord Maurice Egerton had the largest allocation of land neighboring the town. The town grew around a railway from Gilgil opened in 1929 . The town was once an important player in the timber milling industry, and the now defunct National Pencil Company had a factory there. It is also an important milk processing hub.Economy & PeopleThe region around Nyahururu is mainly agricultural. To the North Ol Ngarua is famous for its maize, while Shamata to the south is a major producer of potatoes. Lately, flower farming has brought new life to Nyahururu. Suera Flowers is a pioneer in this venture. The cool temperate weather, land availability and cheap labor may be some of the attractions to flower farming.