Thika

Thika is an industrial town in Central Province, Kenya, lying on the A2 road 40 km north east of Nairobi, near the confluence of Thika River & Chania River. Thika has a population of 200,000 and is growing rapidly, as is the entire greater Nairobi area. The elevation of Thika is approximately 1631 meters in altitude.The town is located on a gentle plain before the ascent into the central highlands. Small valleys are present on the Western and Northern edges following the Chania and Thika Rivers that have waterfalls and meet on the North Western edge of the town.

The climate is moderate tropical with sunshine most of the year round and typical average temperatures of 25°C during the day with the hottest period in January & February leading to the long rains and the coldest in July after. The "long rains" season occurs from March/April to May/June. The "short rains" season occurs from October to November/December. Thika is home to the Chania Falls and the Thika Falls, while Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park lies to its south east. The town has a railway station, but currently there is only limited passenger service with only cargo trains operating although there are plans to extend the proposed light rail system to Thika in the future.