I am seated at a car wash on Forest lane road in Ngong, as my car is getting cleaned, heavy trucks are turning , ferrying away soil as the earthmovers dig up the new road. Every few minutes a yellow school bus or school van passes by, surprisingly many, going up an unpaved road towards the hills.
The weaver birds carry on on the merry signing in the tree as across the road, the sun sets beautifully beyond the hills with the white windmills winking and waving it goodnight.
For someone pretty new in this locality, I am still surprised by the sheer volume of cars on the road. I have to admit, when the name Ngong Town would be mentioned, like most people I had this mental image of a sleepy old town next to some green rolling hills.
I just moved here, about a month ago, and I am liking the freshness of the air, and the slower pace of life. For someone who enjoys the outdoors, Ngong has offered me more than I bargained for.
Ngong is getting hotter, and it is not just about global warming, although that makes it more livable. It has more to do with the changes being experienced here that is very unique.
But first, here are some quick facts about Ngong town
Ngong’s Climate
Ngong is a small town located in the Kajiado County of southern Kenya, near the Ngong Hills along the Great Rift Valley. It lies southwest of Nairobi and is known for its beautiful scenery and wildlife. The word “Ngong” is derived from the Maasai language and means “the ‘eye’ of water” or spring from where Rhinos come to drink water.
The town has a tropical climate with hot temperatures throughout the year, although it does experience some rain during certain times of the year. The time zone in Ngong is East Africa Time (EAT), which is three hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Ngong is home to many different species of animals, including elephants, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, and rhinos. There are also several national parks nearby that offer visitors an opportunity to explore this unique region of Kenya.
Ngong Demographics
Ngong is a town located in the Kajiado County of Kenya. It is situated at an elevation of 1,961 meters above sea level and is surrounded by hills that reach up to 2,460 meters in altitude. Ngong has a population of approximately 25,000 people and is the central town of Ngong division.
The majority of the population living in Ngong are members of the Maasai tribe. The Maasai are known for their traditional lifestyle and culture which includes herding livestock and wearing brightly colored clothing. Other ethnic groups living in Ngong include Kikuyu, Kalenjin, Luo, Luhya, Somali, and Kamba. The economy of Ngong is mainly based on agriculture with some small-scale industries such as carpentry and metalworking also present. Tourism is also becoming increasingly popular due to its proximity to Ngong Hills, The Rift Valley Escarpment, Nairobi National Park and other attractions such as Hell’s Gate National Park. With its rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty, Ngong is an ideal destination for those looking to experience the real Kenya.
Ngong’s History
The Ngong Hills area was a significant settler farming area during the time of British colonial rule, and there are still many colonial-style houses located there today as well as businesses. Ngong and the surrounding area have become highly developed suburbs, providing ideal living spaces for many of Nairobi’s employees and businesses.
The Ngong encompasses the outskirts of Nairobi, such as Ongata Rongai, Kiserian, Matasia (Oloolua Area) are inhabited primarily by Nairobians who choose to live in these serene zones of the metropolis where amazing green and hilly landscapes are all visible. In the 1985 film “Out of Africa,” four distinct peaks could be seen in the landscape.
At Kahara on the eastern slopes of the Ngong Hills is the solitary grave Denys Finch Hatton, memorialized by an obelisk and garden, overlooking the wide expanse of a game reserve.
Paul Tergat, the all time world marathon champion, lives here, along with other present and past marathon athletes.
Ngong is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese.
If you are fortunate enough to visit Ngong town in the 90s, chances are you will observe some magnificent elderly residences built in the colonial period. The distinction between its look and atmosphere of old is immeasurable. There were no stores, no constructions; all that you would see were Maasai shepherding their animals and engaging in agrarian activities. This was such a diminutive town that most people were accustomed with each other.
Sports in Ngong
Ngong has a basketball court and a stadium that is being built. The basketballers of Ngong go to far places to play basketball. Ngong also has quite a good number of football pitches.
Ngong division consists of the Nairobi suburbs of Ongata Rongai, Kiserian,[Matasia] (Oloolua Area) and Kitengela where the residents are primarily Nairobians who build houses in the more quiet regions of the city.
Here is why you should buy property in Ngong town
Ngong town is an ideal residential area for those looking to own property in Kenya. Boasting of beautiful scenic countryside and excellent proximity to Nairobi, the capital city, it is a good option for anyone looking for an investment opportunity. Here are some reasons why buying property in Ngong town may be a good idea:
Accessibility
Ngong town has improved accessibility thanks to the expansion of roads connecting it to Nairobi’s CBD and outlying suburbs. This means that travel time between your home and where you need to go is short and convenient. This benefit is complemented by the close proximity to the new proposed section of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) which will run through Ngong town making long-distance travel much easier and faster.
Affordability
It is estimated that prices in Ngong Town have remained relatively low compared to other parts of Nairobi like Westlands or Kileleshwa, yet they have appreciation potential over time. This means that investing in property here could turn out to be highly profitable if you play your cards right. Furthermore, there are various payment plans available when buying property so you can spread out payments according to what suits you best financially – allowing more people access to this great opportunity.
Fantastic Scenery
Owning property in Ngong Town also allows access to fantastic views, including Mount Kilimambogo, Ngong Hills and grasslands as far as the eye can see – something many people crave yet hardly get living in Nairobi’s busy urban centers. Fresh air and lush views will reward your relaxation after a long day at work or school. There are great local activities like biking, hiking or just taking a stroll down by one of the rivers – all this within reach!
Growing Economy
The economy around Ngong Town is growing rapidly as evidenced by numerous developments sprouting up such as malls, shopping opportunities, dining places etcetera -all indicators that business development is doing well here.. Residents no longer rely on distant services from other towns since most are now fully accessible here making it convenient for residents without having the need to keep travelling elsewhere for basic needs everyday.. This reflects ample economic growth potential with direct impact on residents’ incomes ; translating into increased disposable income which can be used for additional investments like buying holiday homes with recreational activities nearby etc.
Other amazing things about Ngong town include;
Schools in Ngong
When you are moving to a new neighbourhood, it is important to consider the quality of education available for your child. Fortunately, there are many schools in Ngong that provide excellent educational opportunities. PCEA Enchoro Emuny Primary School is a private primary school that offers an excellent curriculum and provides a safe learning environment for students. Citam Schools Ngong is another great option for primary school students, offering a holistic approach to learning with an emphasis on Christian values. Greeyard Junior School is also a great choice for younger children, providing an engaging and interactive learning experience.
Running in Ngong
For a start, I love running in the mornings, and to jazz it up, I like taking a new route every day. I am not anywhere the fitness of Kipchoge, so don’t get any ideas. But, I try to run at least twice a week, for anywhere from 7 Km to 20 Km. And so far, it has been a blast!. For the last few weeks, I have ran a different direction, different roads, and experienced the beauty of Ngong sunrises. Apart from the predestine fresh air, nicely even, well-maintained roads to run, few to no cars on the road, and the frequent encounters with professional athletes on their daily runs the diversity of the terrain is what I enjoy most. From flat stretches, gentle descents to steep climbs, Ngong has it all. Trust me, it brings out the best in any runner. Fancy how I found myself in Kiserian this Tuesday when I took a winding road, with my GPS intentionally off. I ended up walking about 10 Kms back because I was spent after 12 km of super-diverse terrain.
I love the greenery of Ngong. I would guess it has one of the highest trees to people ratios anywhere . Every direction you look, except when you are in the Ngong CBD, it is blissfully green. And it is not just in the rainy seasons, it is all year round. I hear it used to be greener than this by the way. Maybe that’s why the air is always fresh and clean.
Ngong Infrastructure Development
On the 16th of October 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta opened the Syokimau – Suswa SGR route. With new train stations in Ongata Rongai, Ngong, and Suswa. Ngong is smack in the middle of that. In short, it is now possible to travel faster to the coast or to Suswa from Ngong town. There are also plans underway to create a new commuter train line to Ngong by the Kenya Railways Company.
In the same line of infrastructure developments, Ngong road expansion when complete, will provide a dual carriage highway from the CBD to Ngong. The 28 Km distance will take less than 30 minutes to drive. If we were to compare this with the other Nairobi metropolitan areas :
Nairobi metropolitan region covers approximately 32,000 km2 . This covers 15 No. local authority areas – City Council of Nairobi (684 km2 ); County Councils of Kiambu, Olkejuado, Masaku and Thika; Municipal Councils of Ruiru, Thika, Kiambu, Limuru, Mavoko, and Machakos; and Town Councils of Karuri, Kikuyu, Kajiado, and Kangundo (Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan Development, 2009, p. 38) .
Ruiru 24.3 km , Thika 45.1 km, Kiambu – 16 km, Limuru – 36.9 km, Syokimau -19.9 km , and Machakos 66.2Km , Karuri 19.4 Km, Kikuyu 20.4 Km, Kajiado 114.7 km, and Kangundo 81.4 km) .
Comparatively speaking, of all these Nairobi metropolitan towns, Ngong is currently experiencing the biggest infrastructure upgrades. With the new SGR station, New feeder roads, and the upgrading of Ngong Road to a dual carriageway as well as the new Suswa – Ngong – Kiserian – Isinya road, this town is opening up very fast. This is why KURA has a number of projects lined up for Ngong town, including the expansion of Ngong road to a dual carriage highway from Karen to Ngong town.
Restaurants in Ngong
Ngong is a marvelous spot for lovers of culinary delights. Among the most beloved restaurants in Ngong is Kompass. This eatery provides scrumptious homemade dishes that will fill you with pleasure and peace. The homely decorations, Maasai theme furnishing gives the place an inviting and snuggly feel to it. Additionally, there is also a snack bar where you can obtain alcoholic drinks and rest with your friends at the balcony.
Ngong Property Values
When I did some research on the land prices in Ngong in comparison to other metropolitan centers, I noticed something really amazing. The land prices have had the second slowest growth over the last 10 years and I believe this is just about to change. Considering the infrastructural developments coming to Ngong, which the other Nairobi metropolitan towns are not experiencing, then it definitely is a trend to watch.
For this reason, it is still possible to buy a fully built, 3br+SQ , 100 SQM bungalow, on 1/8th of an acre in Ngong for Ksh. 8.5M.
Since this article was first published in 2020 and today 24.01.2023, the units in Four Ways Gardens Ngong sold out and the values have since grown by over Ksh.1M.
Do you think we were right in predicting the rise and rise of Ngong town?.
