Ongata Rongai

Ongata Rongai (also known as Diaspora) is a town located in Kajiado County, Kenya. The town, situated 17 km (10.6 mi) south of the Nairobi Central Business District and west of the Ngong hills,[1] lies 1,731 meters (5,682 feet) above sea level. Known locally as Rongai(Ronga), the populated town is a fast-growing community with an approximate population of 172,569[2][3] Ongata Rongai is also home to a vast number of commercial banks including Barclay's, Equity Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank, HCF, Bank of Africa, Co-operative Bank, Sidian Bank, among many others. It also boosts healthcare by having renowned hospitals like Equity Afia Medical Center, The Karen Hospital, Aga Khan Hospital, Meridian Hospital, Nairobi Women's Hospital, Fatima Mission Nursing, Sinai Hospital and also Gertrude Children's Hospital. For a fancy night out one could check into the Legend Club located near the upmarket area of Tuskys or also Nyasingawa Bar and Restaurant (N Bar) located at Tumaini.

Ongata Rongai
Ongata Rongai
Location of Ongata Rongai
Coordinates: 1.4°S 36.77°E / -1.4; 36.77
Country Kenya
CountyKajiado County
Population
 (2019)
172,569
Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)

Origins

Historically occupied by Maasai ethnic peoples, present-day Ongata Rongai grew from a meeting of a cattle market in the northernmost tip of Kajiado county and the quarry township in present-day Kware.[4] The cattle market and the quarry spread rapidly and joined in the late 1950s.

Due to rapid real estate development starting in the 1990s, Ongata Rongai has evolved into a high-population Nairobi suburb covering around 16 square kilometres. Greater Ongata Rongai[5] is a medium-to-low population area. The neighborhoods of Kandisi, Rimpa, Nkoroi, Merisho, Olekasasi, Tuala, Rangau and Maasai Lodge are located to the south and east of Ongata Rongai.

Ongata Rongai has a diverse population due to its proximity to Nairobi. Ethnic communities represented include Kalenjin, Maasai, Kikuyu, Kamba, Luhya, Luo and Kisii.

Economy

Ongata Rongai is a multi-class area which is however dominated by the middle class. Although largely located within Nairobi metropolitan, it does not fall within the administrative boundaries of the city and is separated from Nairobi city proper by the Mbagathi river. It is itself divided into two administrative locations, Nkaimurunya and Rongai, which are separated by the Magadi road. Within Ongata Rongai there is the Kandisi river, a tributary of the Mbagathi river. It has two major industrial ventures: Kitengela glass, an artefacts manufacturer tucked away in the far-flung Tuala township area, and Tam feeds, an agro-processing industry located in Gataka.

Modern shopping centres are also evolving in Ongata Ronkai such as; Maasai Mall, Bees Park, Geomerc Centre, Times Acade, Great Wide Mall etc. Ronkai also have major shops i.e. Uchumi, Tuskys, and Tumaini Supermarkets.

Transport

Ongata Rongai has a train station on the Nairobi–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway, which was inaugurated in October 2019.[6]

Culture

Notably, Ongata Rongai is famous for its customized public service vehicles operating on 125/126 route (otherwise known as 'nganya' or 'pimped matatus'). Such vehicles usually have animated graphics on the outer body while the inside is fitted with free wi-fi, numerous speakers and LCD screens for loud music surrounding. The 'Catalyst','Brain Freeze','Batman','Phantom 808' 'Vintage','Sparxx','Mack Truck' and 'Intoxicated' are rides that have come to be known as Nairobi's finest public service vehicles. Rongai is also the home of many known artists and celebrities, the likes of Royce, Sharama, Chiwawa, Baby t, X-tatic, DJ Mo, Ndavi and many more.

Education

The first school, Ongata Rongai Primary School, opened in 1949.

This area is home to a number of institutions of higher learning, such as the Africa Nazarene University, Eagle Air Aviation College, Belmont International College (located at the junction of Magadi/Gataka road in Ongata Rongai Town), Adventist University of Africa, Nairobi Institute of Business Studies (NIBS College) and the nearby Multimedia University of Kenya in Mbagathi. Other learning institutions are Ongata Academy, Laiser Hill Academy, Azuri School Ltd Nkaimurunya Secondary School, Prime Junior School, Kunoni Educational Centre, Nakeel Primary, Nakeel Boys, Arap Moi Primary, Olekasasi Mixed School, and Maxwell Adventist Academy, which together with the Adventist University sit on the property of the headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for the East-Central African Division. There are also St. Mary's Primary School, Olerai School, P.C.E.A Educational Centre and the latest school in the region, The Champions Academy located at House of Grace Church Ongata Rongai; 300 meters from Laiser Hill School.

Cuisine

Ongata Rongai serves as a primary entry point where most fresh produce is transported directly to the towns from the farms. It has two major markets for fresh produce: one near Maasai Mall and another one near Kware. The large number of butcheries across Ongata Rongai also bear testimony to the popularity of beef in the town. Sellers of fresh fish are also making their presence felt, citing its immense benefits to the health of consumers. Sellers such as Let's Eat Fish [7] focus on the elimination of middle-men and making quality and tasty fish more affordable for the consumers.

See also

References
  1. "Chapter 3: the Maasai: Socio-historical context and group ranches". Maasai herding – An analysis of the livestock production system of Maasai pastoralists in eastern kajiado north, Kenya. FAO. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  2. "Ongata Rongai (Kajiado, Rift Valley, Kenya) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  3. "Directory of Cities, Towns, and Regions in Kenya: Langata Rongai". Global Gazetteer Version 2.2. Falling Rain Genomics. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  4. "ISoCaRP Congress Case Studies Platform" (PDF). 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  5. MASESE, WINSLEY. "Rongai is no longer too far". Standard Digital News. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  6. "President Uhuru launches Nairobi-Suswa SGR". Standard Digital. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  7. Let's Eat Fish - Facebook
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