Limuru town is popularly known for its cold temperatures. The town is located on the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley about 27 kilometers (by road) northwest of Kenya's capital, Nairobi.
Due to its proximity to the capital, the town has been attracting investors, with the latest being a car parts manufacturing firm, Auto-Springs East Africa which moved its operations from Athi River to a new plant at Limuru.
The town serves as the capital of Kiambu West District, which was formerly part of Kiambu District.
Most of the area of Limuru was previously known as the "white highlands", which means land at the south of the equator, that was considered by our colonizers to be rich in agricultural activities. A lot of groceries supplied to different areas in Nairobi comes from Limuru.
Limuru is also known for its open-air markets, which are locally referred to as 'ndunyu'.
In fact, new residents in the town are considered outsiders until they make their first trip to the market.
Regardless of the fame it has gathered thus far, very few people know the origin of the name 'Limuru'.
The name Limuru originated from a Maasai word 'ilmur.' Ilmur in Maasai means donkey dung.
The town was named so because it is the indigenous home to many donkeys.
Donkeys are also the most used form of transport in ferrying goods from the farms to the open air markets.
The town used to be littered with donkey dung, resulting in the name Limuru.