Ongata Rongai

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. 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 is a medium-to-low population area. The neighborhoods of Kandisi, Rimpa, Nkoroi, Merisho, Olekasasi, Tuala 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 Maasai, Kikuyu, Luhya, Luo and Kiisi.

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

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','Tupac Shakur','Phantom 808' 'Skyfall 007','Sparxx','Phanta Manela' and 'Kifaru' 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 Sharama, Chiwawa,Baby t, X-tatic, DJ Mo 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, Nkaimurunya Secondary School, Prime Junior School, Kunoni Educational Centre, Nakeel Primary, Nakeel Boys, Arap Moi Primary, Olekasasi Mixed School, and Maxwell Adventist Academy, which is 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 and P.C.E.A Educational Centre.

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 focus on the elimination of middle-men and making quality and tasty fish more affordable for the consumers.