Category: Kiambu

  • Gacharage Junction in 2025: Rental Houses, Business Ideas & What to Expect When You Relocate

    Gacharage, Ruaka

    Is Gacharage a good place to live?

    Let’s take a closer look at Gacharage.

    What does life in Gacharage look like?

    Because the rent you’ll pay is one piece of the puzzle.

    You should also take into account daily fare, commuting time, food prices, water availability, and security.

    So what is it like living there? And is it a good fit for you? Let’s find out.

    This is what to expect when you relocate to Gacharage.

    Where is Gacharage Junction located?

    Gacharage Junction is located along Limuru Road in Ruaka town before you reach Ndenderu.

    Distance from Gacharage to Nairobi CBD

    The distance from Gacharage Junction to Koja stage in Nairobi via Limuru Road is 14.9 km.

    Where do I board matatu to Gacharage?

    The Gacharage matatu stage in Nairobi is located at Koja stage along Tom Mboya Street near the fire station.

    You can also board at the lower side of Latema Road near River Road.

    Fare from Nairobi CBD to Gacharage Junction

    Ksh 80.

    Let’s do the math. If you commute daily to town in the morning and get back in the evening, this is what your budget will look like.

    (80×2) x 5 days = 800

    800 x 4 weeks = 3,200

    In addition to rent, you’ll spend approximately Ksh 3,200 in fares per month if you decide to live in Gacharage.

    Traffic jam pain points

    You will experience traffic jams at Gigiri UN, and after Two Rivers Mall as you enter Ruaka town.

    If you are heading to Nairobi, the Globe Roundabout is also notorious for traffic snarl-ups.

    Water availability

    I talked to 10 residents about water availability in Gacharage.

    9 out of 10 said they had water throughout.

    Verdict: You are unlikely to face water challenges here at Gacharage. 

    Food prices in Gacharage

    6 of the 10 people I talked to said that food prices in Gacharage are average.

    The remaining 4 said food prices here are high.

    Is Gacharage safe?

    What about unreported cases?

    For the unreported cases, I talked to the residents.

    They said there were many cases of insecurity, with thieves snatching mobile phones.

    They however said those thieves do not break into shops or residential houses, they are only active at the town center.

    Why residents love Gacharage

    “Affordable houses.”

    “It’s not congested.”

    “No water challenges.”

    What residents don’t like about Gacharage

    “Too many pubs.”

    “The town is not growing due to deep-rooted alcoholism.”

    “Pockets of insecurity.”

    Business ideas

    If you’re thinking of setting up a business in Gacharage Junction, think of the following:

    Grocery store

    Small hotel

    Butchery

    Places you’ll find affordable rental houses in Gacharage Junction

    Gacharage is on the upper side of Ruaka, on your way to Ndenderu.

    It’s a good place to search for a house if you can’t find one at Ruaka town center.

    It’s lined up with very many expensive apartments on either side.

    See the kind of life you will find in Ndenderu.

  • Muchatha, Ruaka in 2025: Rental Houses, Business Ideas & What to Expect When You Relocate

    Muchatha

    Water availability

    You are not likely to experience water challenges in Muchatha.

    Most houses get water from boreholes. You may face challenges if your apartment relies on City Council water, which is only available on Mondays.

    Food prices

    While not as expensive as Ruaka, groceries in Muchatha are still expensive, according to the residents I spoke to.

    You can source cheaper foodstuff in Banana Hill market, but it’s also only cheaper on “market days,” two days a week.

    Is Muchatha safe?

    So far in 2024, yes.

    In 2023, there were very many cases of insecurity. Snatching of mobile phones, and breaking into shops were common. Some thieves also jumped over fences to steal items left outside like shoes and clothes.

    Other thieves lay flat on empty vibandas along the road to ambush and steal from passers-by.

    What residents love about Muchatha

    “Cool climate.”

    “Green environment.”

    “Friendly people.”

    “Affordable houses.”

    “Not crowded.”

    What residents don’t like about Muchatha

    “Waves of insecurity.”

    “Harassment of businesses by City Council officials.”

    “Alcoholism among the youth.”

    “Joblessness.”

    “Flooding when it rains.”

    “The town never grows.”

    “It’s boring.”

    “Slow businesses.”

    Popular businesses

    General shops

    Green grocery stores

    Hardwares

    Clothes shops.

    If you can’t find a suitable house in Muchatha, check out Rental houses in Gacharage. Send this post to a friend searching for a rental house in Muchatha.

  • Ruaka in 2025: Rental Houses, Business Ideas & What to Expect When You Relocate

    Ruaka

    Is Ruaka a good place to live?

    Let’s take a closer look at Ruaka.

    What does life in Ruaka look like? You’ll be staying here for a while and you’d want to know about the quality of life.

    Daily fare, time spent commuting, food prices, water availability, and security are some of the factors you should consider.

    So what is it like living there? Is it a good fit for you? Let’s find out.

    This is what to expect when you relocate to Ruaka.

    Where is Ruaka located?

    Ruaka is located along Limuru Road after Muthaiga, Gigiri, and Kitisuru.

    From CBD you join Limuru Road at Ngara Fig Tree.

    Ruaka directions from Thika town

    Take a matatu to Ruiru, then take another to Ruaka.

    You can also take a matatu to town and alight at Ngara footbridge or Koja stage, then take a matatu to Ruaka.

    Ruaka is in which county?

    Ruaka is in Kiambaa constituency in Kiambu County.

    Distance from Ruaka to Nairobi CBD

    The distance from Ruaka to Koja stage in Nairobi is 13.6 km.

    Where do I board matatu to Ruaka?

    The Ruaka matatu stage in Nairobi is located at the Koja stage along Tom Mboya Street near the fire station.

    You can also board at the lower side of Latema Road near River Road.

    Fare from Nairobi CBD to Ruaka

    30-50 during off-peak hours.

    Ksh. 80 during rush hour.

    Let’s do the math. If you commute daily to town in the morning and get back in the evening, this is what your budget will look like.

    (80×2) x 5 days = 800

    800 x 4 weeks = 3,200

    In addition to rent, you’ll spend approximately Ksh 3,200 in fares per month if you decide to live in Ruaka.

    Traffic jam pain points

    The main traffic pain points are Gigiri at UN, and after Two Rivers Mall as you enter Ruaka town.

    If you are heading to town, the Globe Roundabout is also notorious for traffic snarl-ups.

    Other fares

    Fare from Ruaka to Westlands

    Ksh. 80

    Fare from Ruaka to Thika

    Ksh. 150-170

    Fare from Ruaka to Ruiru

    Ksh. 80-100

    Fare from Ruaka to Ndenderu

    Ksh. 30

    Fare from Ruaka to Limuru

    Ksh. 80-100

    Fare from Ruaka to Karura

    Ksh. 40

    Fare from Ruaka to Wangige

    Ksh. 50

    Fare from Ruaka to Kikuyu

    Ksh. 80

    Fare from Ruaka to Nakuru

    Ksh. 700

    Fare from Ruaka to Kisumu

    Ksh. 1,500

    Fare from Ruaka to Busia

    Ksh. 2,000

    Water availability

    Water is NOT a problem in Ruaka. I talked to 10 residents about water availability and all of them said they had water throughout. 

    Food prices in Ruaka market

    8 out of 10 people I talked to said that food prices in Ruaka are high.

    The remaining 2 said food prices here are average.

    Is Ruaka safe?

    In 2023, insecurity had skyrocketed in Ruaka. In July of that year, an angry mob lynched a suspected thief along Slaughter Road. The same fate met another in December near the main stage.

    So far in 2024, there have been 0 cases of insecurity in Ruaka reported in the media.

    What about unreported cases?

    For the unreported cases, I talked to the residents.

    They said 2024 has been safe, but identified the Ruaka Bypass as a crime hotspot. Be careful when you get to this place.

    Why residents love Ruaka

    “It’s not congested.”

    “Good, modern houses (though pricey).”

    “Fresh, uncontaminated groceries from nearby farms.”

    “Good for business.”

    “People are social.”

    “Urban amenities. Mall, hospitals, schools.”

    “Cool climate.”

    What residents don’t like about Ruaka

    “Life is expensive… expensive food and houses.”

    “No street lighting at the roundabout. It breeds insecurity.”

    “Inner roads are not paved.”

    “Alcoholism among the youth.”

    Business ideas

    If you’re thinking of a business venture in Ruaka, think of the following:

    Green grocery store

    Fast food joint

    Salon or beauty shop

    Liquor store

    Boutique

    That’s it. I hope it has been helpful. Send this post to a friend who is searching for a house in Ruaka.