The Multimedia University of Kenya is a key landmark on Magadi Road. It alerts all passersby that they are exiting Nairobi County and nearing Ongata Rongai town. Even though the location of this town is clearly demarcated within Kajiado County, the neighbourhood hosts a great number of people working (or living) within Nairobi – making it part of the larger Nairobi Metropolitan Area.
During the infamous 2020-2021 intercounty lockdowns, Ongata Rongai was temporarily zoned within Nairobi City limits. It’s no surprise the residents lay strong claim to living in Nairobi.
The Narrow Plains
Ongata Rongai credits its name to the Maasai dialect; it means “narrow plains”. While locals simply refer to the place as Rongai or Ronga, it should not to be confused with Rongai town in Nakuru County. As the names suggests, the history of this town dates back to a time when the Maasai herded their cattle on these plains.
In the early 1900s, a livestock market was set up in Ongata Rongai and drew farmers from far and wide. The area began to grow as farmers from different communities relocated to take advantage of the pastoral plains.
Growth of Ongata Rongai
The Presbyterian Church of East Africa established the first church in the area on land donated by the community. In 1948, Ongata Rongai Primary School became the first school set up in the area, built on community donated land. Ongata Rongai remained a small settlement until the discovery of a mining site in the 1960s. Labourers began to quarry stones from the area for supply to Nairobi and beyond. These labourers settled their families around the quarry site, a place today known as Kware.
The steadily growing Ongata Rongai town was serviced by Kenya Bus Services that used to make one trip a day, with the final stop at the Multimedia Uni. The demand for more public service vehicles set in in the 1970s, after the government tarmacked Magadi Road. Minibuses, better known as manyangas then, stepped in to fill this gap.
Matatu Culture
Ronga’s matatu culture is one of the celebrated features of the town. The colourful graphics and cozy interiors of the nganyas (an adulterated version of the word manyangas) are unique for each vehicle. These vehicles are better identified by their names and not their number plates. The likes of Mixtape, Kifaru, Mack Bully, Milkshake, Catalyst and Sparx have operated on this route for years. The unveiling of a new nganya creates a buzz around town, and those who want the honours of being part of its maiden trip to Nairobi happily pay double or even triple the normal fare.
Life in Ronga
Ongata Rongai today boasts of a dynamic cultural scene. All amenities are located within the town, from schools and hospitals, to shopping malls and night clubs. The population of the town is a healthy mix of families working within and outside the town, and university students from Multimedia and Africa Nazarene campuses.
It is not uncommon to hear of the sighting of a lion in Ronga, given its close proximity to Nairobi National Park. One of these big cats occasionally manoeuvre their way out of the park fences and take a stroll around the town. Residents have grown accustomed to handling such situations. A quick call to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) leads to immediate information awareness for all to steer clear.
But we can only say so much about Ronga….
Ronga people, share your experiences of life in Nairobi’s diaspora. Have you had a face-to-face encounter with a lion? And when it comes to nganyas, which is your current favourite?
#MitaaYetu #HistoryOfOngataRongai
