Githurai 44 and 45: Neighbourhoods Separated by a County Line

Githurai 44 and Githurai 45, two neighbouring estates on opposite sides of the Thika Superhighway, are undergoing gradual change amid ongoing challenges with infrastructure, security, and public services.

Located in different administrative zones, Githurai 44 in Nairobi’s Kasarani sub-county and Githurai 45 in Kiambu’s Ruiru sub-county, the two areas reflect distinct urban development patterns. Githurai 45 is densely packed with iron-roofed structures and narrow alleyways, while Githurai 44, though congested, features wider streets and scattered undeveloped plots. 

Their names originate from a legacy public transport numbering system established by the defunct Nairobi City Council and Kenya Bus Service. The roundabout separating the two estates, commonly known as “Migingo Island,” serves as both a commercial hub and a boundary point. 

This busy intersection supports late-night trading, with food stalls and markets remaining active well into the evening. According to Githurai MCA Deonysias Mwangi, the area exemplifies the community’s resilience and work ethic. However, he points to the lack of public land as a significant barrier to long-term planning and service delivery.

Mr Mwangi describes Githurai 44 not as a slum, but as a low-income neighbourhood facing severe hardship. He noted that many landlords in the area, some with decades-old properties, also rely on relief food. Because the estate does not meet the formal classification of a slum, it is often excluded from government and donor interventions aimed at informal settlements.

Gideon Kithuka, a long-time resident of Githurai 44, first moved to the area in the early 1980s when it consisted mostly of small tin-roofed shops. While he acknowledges the estate’s growth, he cites persistent issues with blocked drainage, poor road conditions, and overcrowded markets. He also expresses disappointment over stalled projects, such as the promised upgrade of the local school’s football pitch.

Though residents have reported better coordination between local leaders and police, security remains a concern. Mr Kithuka describes improvements as slow but visible, while Jane Wanjiru, a Nyumba Kumi official who has lived in the estate for over 40 years, highlights continued problems with theft, particularly by street children. 

Her stall, located in a narrow alley, closes by 8 pm despite the area’s reputation for round-the-clock trade. Ms Wanjiru recalls Githurai’s transformation from bushland to a dense urban settlement, and the challenges that have come with rapid, unplanned growth. 

She raises concerns about the high number of bars operating near schools and the growing presence of churches, some of which she believes operate without proper oversight. Although she notes recent improvements in water supply, she expresses concern about young people struggling with unemployment and a lack of opportunities.

By 4 am, activity in Githurai 44 is already underway, while some traders in Githurai 45 begin even earlier. Ms Wanjiru believes the local business environment rewards persistence, though success often depends on “luck and prayer.” Despite various improvements, she maintains that community support systems are essential to address deeper social and economic issues.