Named after River Athi and also known as Mavoko by the locals, it was carved off the Nairobi County Council in 1963, when the latter was disbanded.
Athi River starts in the iconic Ngong Hills that rise above Nairobi.
It flows past the bustling metropolis and through Kenya’s largest national park, Tsavo East, until it finally reaches the Indian Ocean.
The river, its tributaries and riverbanks are the source of irrigation and drinking water for millions of people, and wildlife.
Its water and riverside also underpin a number of industries in the region, including mining and tourism.
The town is relatively industrialised hosting six cement factories located within the town: Bamburi Cement, Mombasa Cement, East Africa Portland Cement Company, Savannah Cement, National Cement and Athi River Mining.
The town is home to a chewing gum factory owned by the Wrigley Company.
There are also other notable companies within the town’s outskirts such as Doshi Steel, Mabati Rolling Mills, Seed Co., Kapa Oil Refineries and Devki Steel. Epz industries are also housed there.
It is served by 2 railways which have stops in the town, is 15 minutes from JKIA and, is connected to both Mombasa and Namanga Roads.