Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano recently announced that the national government will undertake the mapping of all the county’s key tourist attraction sites. The initiative is set to boost the local economy by attracting both domestic and international tourists.
During President William Ruto’s visit to Ol Kalou on Thursday, CS Miano highlighted Nyandarua’s wealth of natural and historical resources, which have been largely underutilized for tourism. “Nyandarua is endowed with numerous sites that can be tapped to draw in tourists, generating much-needed revenue for both the county and national government,” she said.
The Aberdare National Park, a major attraction in the region, spans a significant part of Nyandarua. The park is home to diverse wildlife, dense forests, and striking landscapes. Additionally, the county hosts an arboretum and boasts a rich colonial history, which can all be developed for tourism.
Governor Moses Kiarie emphasized the need for greater investment in the county’s tourism sector. He specifically pointed to the Equator point, where visitors can stand in both the northern and southern hemispheres, as well as the Happy Valley homes—an area rich in colonial history, once home to European settlers. Many of the structures from that era still stand and provide a unique opportunity to showcase Nyandarua’s heritage.
Another key attraction is Lake Olbolosat, the only lake in Central Kenya and a vital source of the Ewaso Nyiro river. The lake supports biodiversity, including hippos and over 300 bird species, making it a potential hotspot for eco-tourism. It also serves as an important resource for surrounding communities.
In a bid to preserve history and promote cultural tourism, the President announced a Sh50 million investment into the Kinyahwe Museum, a project spearheaded by the county government to document and conserve Mau Mau history.
With these developments, Nyandarua is poised to become a prime destination in Kenya’s tourism sector.
