1. Ruaka- “Rui rua aka” Meaning “River of women”
The river, known as “Rui-Rwa-Aka”, meaning “women’s river”, was reserved for Kikuyu girls during circumcision for its cold-morning anaesthetic waters. Ruaraka was the corrupted version of the name.
2. Dagoretti- “Ndagurite” Meaning a place that’s not yet bought as Karen Blixen had already the rest of the area.
3. Rumuruti (in Laikipia)- The town was on the route from Nyahururu to Mararal which was commonly used by white settlers. They referred to the trail between the two settlements as a “Remote route”
4. Kapropita (In Baringo)- A settler known as “Corporal Peter” lived in the area.
5. Kirigiti (Kiambu)- There was a popular cricket field there, locals could not pronounce “Cricket” hence the name Kirigiti.
6. Roysambu- The place was known as “Royal Suburbs” during the colonial times.
7. Kariakor- During the First World War a contingent of Africans were in the British army as carrying luggage. “The Carrier Corps” and would meet in the present Kariakor!
8. Msongari- The name was “Muthangari” and an area in Lavington still maintains that name. The name was a bit tough for the settlers and they pronounced it as “Msongari”.
9. Limuru- corruption from a Maasai word ilmur which means donkey droppings and even today there’s lots of it there!
10. Naivasha = Enaiposha – meaning the lake in Masai.
11. Nakuru = Nakurro – meaning a dust bowl – dusty place in Masai.
12. Nyahururu – Enaiwurruwurr – meaning windy or place of storms. Also means some plant in Masai.
13. Banana (Kiambu) Lots of bananas were bought and sold along that area.
14. Kinoo- There was a very large sign that read “NO THROUGH WAY”. The Kikuyu living in the area would refer to the area as “haria hee Ki-no.
15. Kabarnet- The town is named after a missionary called Barnet, from Alsace, France.
16. Kawangware- Named after the Man called Ngware. He opened the 1st shop there in 60s and Kikuyus would say (ndathii gatuka-ini KA+WA+NGWARE) “I have gone to shop at Ngware’s shop”
17. Kilifi- Great Cliffs in that area.
18. Mathare – African labourers would be dropped there by white and told ‘go to your motherland’ so they called the place Mathare.
19.Rodikopani – A major junction as one heads from Rongo to HomaBay town. A Road Company had its operation base there long time ago.
