A handful of small towns and villages have gained recognition for producing world class leaders and influential people who have ultimately impacted the country in one way or another.
Unbeknown to many, the likes of Rwathia village prides itself for producing top notch businessmen, whose combined net worth amounts to billions.
Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at these towns:
Iten
Situated along the road between Eldoret and Kabarnet, the small town has gained iconic status in the past 30 years for producing world class athletes.
The roots date back to the 1970s, producing athletes such as Ibrahim Hussein (won three Boston Marathons), Peter Rono (Olympic Gold medalist in 1988) and champions in the current era such as world record holder David Rudisha, Florence Kiplagat, Linet Maasai and Mary Keitany just to name a few.
Despite not having premium facilities, the athletes pride themselves in training through the murky roads and rough patches situated along the tracks.
Coaches and athletes have in the past credited the success of the training at the small town to the high altitude all year round. Iten's altitude is 2,400 meters, which is considered to be very favourable for extensive training. The small town has also served as a training ground for international athletes preparing for global sporting events.
Rwathia
A little known village situated in Kangema, Murang'a County, is regarded as one of the richest towns for producing a great number of self-made billionaires.
The famed businessmen include Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi, former Equity Bank Chairman Peter Munga, investment banker Jimnah Mbaru, and immediate former Britam CEO Benson Wairegi.
Others include Gerald Gikonyo, Gerishon Kirima and the late business mogul Chris Kirubi. The businessmen succeeded in taking their business beyond Rwathia into other countries within Africa- hence creating a fortune in the process.
Yala
Tucked in Siaya County, Yala town can be referred to as the cradle of education for possessing the highest number of professors in the country.
Despite having no official statistics on the number of alive or deceased professors, the locals in the area often joke that if one throws a stone, they are likely to hit a professor's head.
The small town is also regarded as one of the first areas in the country to embrace formal education. This is credited to Chief Odera Akang'o, a no-nonsense administrator in the 19th century.
Distinguished scholars who hail from the area include Education Cabinet Secretary, George Magoha, Professor David Simon Wasawo, Professor Jacob Ogeno Midiwo ( Alliance High School alumnis), Professor John Kokwaro ( renowned African botanists in the world) as well as Professor Joseph Awange, a Univesity of Nairobi alumni who has studied in different countries such as Germany, Japan and Australia.
Othaya
The small town in Nyeri County is situated about 120 kilometres north of Nairobi's Central Business District. The town is synonymous with former President Mwai Kibaki who hailed from the region.
Other distinguished public servants who come from the region include the late Josiah Mwangi (JM) Kariuki (born in Othaya before the family relocated to Nyandarua), National Intelligence Service (NIS) boss Philip Kameru, UoN Vice Chancellor Stephen Kiama as well as Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua.
Katheri
Unbeknown to many, the late William Ole Ntimama was born in Katheri village, Meru to a Maasai father and a local woman. The Meru region has also served as hosts to great and influential leaders such as former Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, former Kenya-Anti Corruption Commission boss, Aaron Ringera and former police commissioner, Mathew Iteere.
However, not all towns are associated with producing distinguished leaders. In the case of Gachie, a small town in Kiambu, it is referred to as one of the most dangerous places to live in.
The town was home to notorious law breakers including the late Simon Matheri Ikere.
