Gilgil Town and The History of Its Origin

Gilgil is a vibrant town situated in the central Rift Valley region of Nakuru County, Kenya. Positioned along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, approximately 120 kilometers north of Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya,

The town is situated at the intersection of the Gilgil-Nyahururu road intersecting from the main road of Nairobi-Nakuru-Kisumu highway. The town is again at the intersection point of the feeder railway line from Gilgil to Nyahururu intersecting from the main line of Mombasa-Kisumu railway line.

Gilgil area was predominantly occupied by the Maasai people. The Maasai people were known for their nomadic pastoral lifestyle and the area was suitable for grazing their large herds of cattle as they traversed the entire rift valley. The Maasai referred to this place as "Kirkir," meaning "a place of stormy winds." The name Gilgil is derived from this Maasai name Kirkir. To this day swirling winds are evident in Gilgil and its surrounding a true testament to its historical connection with the Maasai. The area also served as a watering place for the Maasai herds of cattle as Gilgil is at the convergence of three rivers, river Moridat, river Loliodo and Langalanga river all forming one Gilgil river that flows to Lake Naivasha in the south.

The written history of Gilgil town can be traced in the year 1897 when a group of Indian troops set a base in Gilgil on their way from a mission in Sudan. where they had assisted the British in suppressing The Mahdist Uprising led by Mohammed Ahmad ibn Abdallah. The Mahdist Uprising in Sudan was a revolt by Sudanese people against the Egyptian rule that had been installed by the British to rule Sudan on their behalf.

The British setting up a base in Gilgil was purely strategic geopolitical considerations. The British at the time having established Kenya as a British Protectorate and recognizing its strategic importance in the region decided to position troops strategically in case of potential resistance or conflicts similar to those faced in Sudan.

Gilgil, with its favorable terrain for infantry training and its central location along transportation routes like the Nairobi-Nakuru highway and railway lines, became a suitable location for a military base. A military presence ensured the British had control with ease of prompt response to any challenge in the region of East Africa during that period. Later on, the colonial government recruited African askaris to beef up the Indian contingent and together with other companies they formed the first battalion in colonial Kenya. Gilgil town from then on has continued to have military presence and has maintained to be a Garrison town.

The construction of the railway line reached Gilgil around the year 1900, where Indian workers engaged in the construction of the railway encountered their compatriot Indian troops stationed in the vicinity. Witnessing the presence of familiar faces provided the workers with a sense of home and security. Subsequently, when the railway construction extended to Kisumu, some of these Indian workers chose to return to Gilgil upon the completion of their contracts. Upon their return, these individuals transitioned into traders, establishing shops (dukas) in the town. The convergence of Indian troops and workers in Gilgil created a unique sense of familiarity and connection, shaping the town's historical development.

In 1901, Sir Charles Eliot, the British Commissioner of the British Protectorate, advocated for the settlement of the Highlands in Kenya for agricultural purposes. His primary goal was to attract as many settlers as possible to aid in recovering the expenses incurred during the construction of the Ugandan Railway. The initial white settlers to arrive in Kenya in 1901 included Lord Delamere, who, along with others, focused on acquiring land between Naivasha and Nakuru.

Between 1903 and 1906, Lord Delamere actively pursued the acquisition of land from the British Crown, which controlled land allocation in Kenya. After overcoming several challenges, he successfully secured 50,000 acres in the area between Gilgil and Mbaruk in Nakuru, naming the acquired farm Soysambu Ranch. Lord Delamere utilized the ranch for cattle farming, maintaining substantial herds of beef cattle.

Lord Delamere played a crucial role in recruiting additional settlers to migrate to Kenya, encouraging them to claim what they perceived as ownerless land. He urged them to establish farms and cultivate large plantations on the fertile lands surrounding Gilgil. Becoming a central figure in the White Community in Kenya, Lord Delamere held strong beliefs in white supremacy and was convinced that the advancement of civilization in Africa could only be achieved through European settlement. To attract more settlers, Lord Delamere frequently traveled back to his homeland, enticing fellow countrymen and women with tales of the abundant resources and comfortable climate in Kenya, emphasizing that the land had been exclusively set aside as a white man's country.

Following a successful campaign to lure his compatriots to invest in Kenya, a significant number of them migrated to become settlers, acquiring vast tracts of land in areas such as Naivasha, Gilgil, Nyahururu, Nakuru, and beyond.

The history of Gilgil town and its origin will be incomplete without mentioning "The Happy Valley". The Happy Valley was a name given to a very remote valley in the Aberdare mountains called Wanjohi Valley. Hugh Cholmondeley, 3rd Baron Delamere, is credited with the formation of The Happy Valley Set, a group of notorious, self-indulgent people in pursuit of pleasure consisting of British and Anglo-Irish aristocrats who promptly drunk, drugged and fornicated into oblivion. Their hedonistic behavior unfolded between the years of 1920s and 1940s. Gilgil town held particular importance due to its proximity. The town served as a crucial stopover point for them with the routine of alighting from the train at Gilgil railway station, hop into Colvilles Hotel that was just next to the railway station before embarking on ox-pulled wagons that would drive them to their homes in Wanjohi Valley at the foot of the Aberdare. Colvilles Hotel in Gilgil town was established by Lady Zelie Colville in 1920, The hotel would later change its name to Salama Hotel and have since changed to a completely different venture.

The influx of white settlers in and around Gilgil served as a catalyst for the town's expansion, emerging as a pivotal stopover where settlers engaged in shopping, socializing, and making merry. As settlers increased farm workers increased, this made the demand for goods and services to increase, fostering a vibrant atmosphere. Sunday was designated as a market day further fueling the growth of the town and solidifying its status as a thriving trading centre of those days.

Lord Delamere, serving as the chairman of Naivasha County Council, played a pivotal role in elevating Gilgil to township status, the colonial Government granted Gilgil township status in the year 1926. Immediately the town was grated township status, a flurry of developmental initiatives ensued. The East Africa Land Development Company, later known as the East Africa Syndicate Company, received approval from the colonial government to subdivide and sell plots near the railway station. The initial plots were acquired by Indians who established businesses in what is now known as the Syndicate area, situated at the intersection of Gilgil-Nyahururu road and Gilgil-Gitare-Tumaini road. Concurrently, Agip Kenya established an oil storage depot adjacent to the railway station, while the Kenya Farmers Association (KFA) set up a go-down in 1928 to cater to the needs of local farmers.

As Gilgil town expanded, the Gilgil Township Committee implemented what looked like segregation regulations for subdividing accommodation areas based on racial lines. People of Europeans race was assigned areas in proximity to the railway station and the present-day Post Office along the old Nairobi-Nakuru highway. Asians were allocated the region, which is the present-day Syndicate, while the Somali community found their designated area in present-day Kambî Somali referred by the whites as Somali Camp. Other African residents initially faced movement restrictions, only permitted in town on Sundays during market day. However, they were later allocated the Bondeni area.

The distinct preference given to Somalis can be traced back to the 1890s when the European explorers in their expedition's gave them the role as personnel serving as gun carriers and occasionally as spies. One Somali man played a crucial role in Lord Delamere's safety during a perilous encounter with a lion on one of his game hunting expeditions. This incident led Lord Delamere to hold Somalis in high regard, honoring them with exceptional treatment.

Established in 1910, the Gilgil Post Office played a pivotal role in the town's growth. White settlers relied on the post office for sending and receiving parcels, letters, periodicals, and telegrams, providing them with the essential connectivity to the broader world.

Since 1897, Gilgil town has maintained a continuous military presence, solidifying its identity as a garrison town. It stands out nationally as the sole town beyond Nairobi boasting four major security establishments within its borders. Among these are the prominent Gilgil Barracks and Kenyatta Barracks. Additionally, Gilgil hosts the headquarters of the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), established in 1965 as a paramilitary rapid response unit tasked with combating cattle rustlers. The town is also the proud home of the National Youth Service (NYS) Training College. Over the years, these security establishments have played a pivotal role in shaping Gilgil's growth, serving as the primary employer and a significant consumer of resources from the surrounding farmers.

Gilgil town boasts a diverse industrial landscape. The once vibrant Gilgil Telecommunications Industry (GTI), established in 1988, was renowned for assembling various telecommunications equipment, including fixed telephone sets, transmission and switching apparatus, telephone booths, Post Office boxes, and the treatment of telephone poles. While initially a major employer, the industry adapted to changing demands. With the rise of mobile telephony in the early 2000s, the demand for fixed telephone equipment dwindled. Consequently, the industry shifted focus to treating power poles, rebranding as Gilgil Treatment Industry (GTi). Another notable industry is the Ndume Farm Machinery Factory, founded in 1940, which has stood the test of time as a reliable supplier of farm machinery and equipment within East Africa. Furthermore, Gilgil is a hub for the Diatomite Mining Industry, with African Diatomite Industries Limited established in 1942 for mining and processing diatomaceous earth products. This industry is situated along the Gilgil-Nakuru highway, adjacent to the Kariandusi Pre-Historic site.

Beyond its industrial prowess, Gilgil boasts several tourist attractions. The Kariandusi Pre-Historic Site, discovered by Louis Leakey in 1928 during an African Archaeological Expedition, stands out as a popular historical destination. The Lake Elementaita Wildlife Sanctuary, renowned for birdwatching, camping, and hiking on the Sleeping Warrior Mountain, is situated just a stone's throw away from the town center, making Gilgil a diverse and captivating locale for residents and visitors alike.

The evolution of Gilgil town is elaborately woven with various contributing factors, and among these, education plays a pivotal role. Pembroke House School holds the distinction of being the inaugural educational institution established in Gilgil town in the year 1927. Over time, additional schools have emerged, offering both Boarding and Day facilities. Noteworthy institutions include Koelel Secondary School, Utumishi Academy, Gilgil Hills School, Coulson Girls Secondary School, Elite Girls High School, and Comboni Polytechnic, to name just a few.

Gilgil town extends its influence on several satellite rural centers, strategically positioned within distances of less than 10km from the town center. These standalone rural hubs operate as crucial nodes, receiving supplies from Gilgil town and reciprocating by providing raw materials sourced from local farmers. Some notable centers include Eburru Shopping Centre in the South, Kikopey Shopping Centre along the Gilgil-Nakuru road, Gitare Shopping Centre in the North, Karunga Shopping Centre and Langa Langa Shopping Centre in the East. The town also boasts residential estates within walking distance, such as Teachers Estate, GTi Estate, and Site Estate, among others. 

Over the years, Gilgil Township has consistently demonstrated its ability to generate ample revenue, enabling it to sustain operations and deliver essential services to residents effectively and efficiently. This success has culminated in the town's elevation to Municipal Status in the year 2022.

Various initiatives led by the current Member of Parliament and other administrative leaders are actively underway, aiming to bring essential services closer to the residents. Long-awaited services, such as land registry and registration of persons, are anticipated to be implemented in Gilgil town by the beginning of 2024, as indicated by current developments.

 In conclusion, while in Gilgil, visitors can enjoy the hospitality of various hotels and restaurants such as Amity Hotel, The Grand Balcony, Mugoiri Hotel (Gilgil) Freci Hotel, Shemeji Hotel, Shepherd Restaurant, among others.