The Kenya-Uganda railway line reached Athi River town in 1920. Athi river town has since grew from a small railway sub-station to become one of the leading industrialised towns in Kenya.
Name after the crocodile-infested Athi-galanh river, the town boasts of numurous industries including the Export processing zones, EPZ, the biggest textile industry in Kenya.
Athi river town falls under Mavoko municipality in Machakos county. Athi River houses steel smelting plants like DEVKI and meat-processing industry, Kenya meat commission.
Athi river also has more than four cement companies namely; East African portland cement, Bamburi cement, Mombasa cement, Savannah cement and Rhino cement (Athi river mining).
Pepe is yet another company that deals with containers. The county government of Machakos is also planning to start a leather processing industry in Kinanie.
With a population of 139,380 (according to 2009 census), Athi river's real estate is also growing at an alarming rate.