Kiambu County was relatively spared from the ethnic violence of 2007-2008, compared to Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, and other counties where organized attacks targeted minority communities. As a predominantly Kikuyu county with Kikuyu perceived as supporters of the Kibaki government, Kiambu was less vulnerable to attacks from Kalenjin and Luo communities. However, the county experienced significant displacement as Kikuyu from other counties (particularly the Rift Valley) fled violence and sought safety with family members in Kiambu.
The influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from other counties created temporary humanitarian challenges in Kiambu. Schools, churches, and other institutions provided shelter and assistance to displaced populations. Kiambu residents, while their security was not under the same threat as Kikuyu in the Rift Valley, nevertheless experienced economic disruption as trade was disrupted and psychological trauma as family members and friends from other areas sought refuge.
Kiambu's relative security during the 2007-2008 crisis reflected its ethnic composition and did not mean the county was unaffected by the broader national crisis. The violence highlighted the vulnerability of Kikuyu minorities in other counties and reinforced Kikuyu identity as a community with shared interests distinct from other communities. Post-violence reconciliation efforts in Kiambu included welcoming returnees and addressing trauma, though much of the organized violence concentration in the Rift Valley meant Kiambu's role was primarily as a safe haven rather than as a zone of active conflict.
See Also
Kiambu Timeline Kiambu Colonial History Kiambu as Kikuyu Heartland Kikuyu Kiambu Economy Thika Town