Kirinyaga County

Introduction

It is a county in the former Central Province of Kenya. Its capital is Kerugoya / Kutus and its largest town is Wanguru. In 2009, the county had a population of 528,054 and an area of 1,205 km.

Constituencies

It consists of four constituencies namely;

  1. Mwea Constituency
  2. Gichugu Constituency
  3. Ndia Constituency
  4. Kirinyaga Central Constituency

Physical features

Rivers

  • Sagana
  • Nyamindi
  • Rupingazi
  • Thiba
  • Rwamuthambi
  • Ragati

Mountains

  • Mt. Kenya

Hills

  • Kamuruana Hill

Kirinyaga Plains

  • Mwea plains

Valleys

  • The Mount Kenya valleys

Importance of physical features 

  • Physical features like forests are a water catchment area and a home to wild animals and birds.
  • Mount Kenya was used as a sacred place for worship
  • Rivers Sagana, Nyamindi, Rupingazi, Thiba, Rwamuthambi, Ragati are a source of water.
  • Physical features are a source of revenue through tourist attraction.

Types of natural vegetation

  • Forest vegetation
  • Mountain vegetation

Importance of vegetation

  • It defines the climate of the area

Map distribution of physical features

 

People and population

  • Language group

Most of them are Kikuyu who practice small scale farming in the area.

Cash crops and food crops grown

  • Tea
  • Sugarcane
  • Maize
  • Coffee

Areas where the cash crops are grown

  • Kerugoya
  • Sagana

Types of livestock kept

  • Cattle
  • Sheep
  • Goat
  • Pigs

Fishing

Areas where fishing is practiced

Fishing in the area is practices in the rivers;

  • These rivers include: Sagana
  • Nyamindi
  • Rupingazi
  • Thiba

Forestry

Major forests

  •  The mountain kenya Forest

Wildlife and Tourism

Types wildlife

  • Antelopes
  • Gazelles
  • Zebras
  • Hippopotamus
  • Elephant
  • Cheetah

Game parks and reserves

  • Mwea National Reserve 

Major tourist attractions

  • Mt. Kenya
  • Mwea National Reserve

Industries

Traditional industries

  • Mining
  • Agriculture
  • Faming

Products of traditional industries

  • Sand
  • Maize
  • Beans
  • Livestock

Trade

Major trading centres

  • Sagana
  • kerugoya