Juja is a town in Kiambu County in Kenya, located about 30 kilometers north of Nairobi between Thika and Ruiru towns. The Nairobi Business Park is found in the environs of this town.
In the early 20th century, few names resonated as profoundly in Kenya’s agricultural and real estate landscape as that of McMillan. From his adventures abroad to his transformative work on Juja Farm, McMillan’s contributions to Kenya’s development are noteworthy, especially within the context of land acquisition, development, and strategic growth. His life serves as a bridge between the colonial past and Kenya’s modern agricultural and real estate investment potential.
But what is its history? Let's dig in and find out. Private records from McMillan Memorial Library indicate that sometime in 1900 when Lord William Northrop Macmillan arrived in Nairobi, he was carrying two statues which he had bought in West Africa.
It is said that when William Mcmillan arrived in Nairobi in 1900, he had with him 2 statues he had bought in West Africa. The instructions from West Africa were never to part with the statues and to preserve them or else he himself would perish at sea. He strongly believed the power of his two idol gods, Ju and Ja, had a role to play in the abnormal land acquisition. In honour of Ju and Ja, he named this land Juja and the farm was therefore called Juja farm.
Map of Kiambu County, Kenya
Read also: The Development of Juja
The Origin of the Name "Juja"
When Mcmillan discovered his 2 treasured gods were missing, of course as you can imagine, he was not amused. He felt alone and lost. Perhaps this loneliness can explain his strange and lost life while in Kenya.
In 1900, when Lord William Northrop Macmillan arrived in Nairobi, he was carrying two statues he had bought in West Africa. Privately, he attributed it to the powers of Ju and Ja idols and as a result, he named the large expanse Ju-Ja Farm.
Soon locals were talking about the real and imagined superstitions surrounding the farm and Juja farm became a feared place. Because of the numerous superstitions that surrounded Juja Farm, it became a no-go zone and locals used to fear entry into a land they always heard had been jinxed.
As a result, McMillan's wife took the two idols from the house and buried them in Ndarugu Valley, near Thika Town. This damage control strategy was ineffective - the name Juja could not just go away.
McMillan then settled on the road to Thika where he bought some 19,000 acres, at a time when nobody was allowed to own more than 5,000 acres. It was as if the place’s original name, ‘Weru wa Ndarugu’, which means the plains of Ndarugu, had been lost and forgotten to time. As a result, the name Juja started entering into annals of colonial history in Kenya and refused to give way to its former name ‘Weru wa Ndarugu’, the Ndarugu plains.
Read also: Local State Farm Agent: Chad Winn
But many think Mcmillan was never alone. Even with the disappearance of Ju and Ja, something lurked in the dark corners of this man’s life. A presence, perhaps his idols, just seemed to jinx the life of this huge man with a huge heart for humanity.
The short of it all is that Ju and Ja were never seen again - they still lie hidden somewhere in the bosom of Juja to date. But would you believe it? William Mcmillan finally died at sea in 1925 - just as he had been warned back in West Africa when he acquired the idols! How strange is that? He was 53.
Next time you are in Juja or its environs, I bet your perspective of the place will be totally different and if you arrive at the conclusion that the place needs a serious exorcism, you may be right.
McMillan's Impact on Juja Farm and Kenya
McMillan was born in St. Louis, United States, the son of William McMillan. His father, a British subject born in Canada, moved to St. Louis in 1870. William McMillan was naturalized as an American citizen in 1874 and established the Missouri Car & Foundry Company, a company that became a significant player in the industrial development of the time.
McMillan’s uncle, James McMillan, was another influential figure, having founded the Michigan Car Company. His paternal grandparents, William and Grace McMillan, had emigrated from Scotland to Canada, setting the stage for the family’s entrepreneurial spirit.
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McMillan’s first steps in Kenya marked the beginning of a transformative period in the region. He arrived in what was then British East Africa at Kilindini Harbour, Mombasa, on September 14, 1904, and journeyed through the country, traveling on the Uganda Railway toward Kisumu.
In 1905, McMillan purchased 15,000 acres of land from the British Crown on a 99-year lease. This land would become Juja Farm, situated at the foot of Ol Donyo Sabuk, now commonly known as ‘Kilimambogo.’ His investment into agricultural land was not only significant for its size but also for the innovative approach he brought to the farm, where he produced maize, flax, and sisal.
McMillan’s vision for Juja Farm went beyond agriculture. He sought to develop the land into a thriving estate, constructing a five-bedroom house on the property, followed by additional homes for staff and utility buildings. This foresight in land development services is what makes McMillan’s legacy significant for Kenya’s modern-day real estate industry.
McMillan’s success in cultivating agricultural land in Kenya foreshadowed the future importance of land as a vehicle for wealth creation and economic development in the region. McMillan’s strategic land acquisition and development at Juja Farm was a blueprint for future real estate ventures in Kenya.
McMillan’s commitment to land development in Kenya is mirrored in Nulands’ dedication to sustainable land transformation and real estate development. Both McMillan and Nulands understand the importance of adding value to land to enhance its long-term potential. McMillan’s legacy in Kenya’s agricultural and real estate sectors is a testament to the enduring value of land as a long-term investment.
Actually, it is near the summit of this mountain that Mcmillan, his wife, Lady Lucie, Louis Decker their house help and the family dog (who knows its name?) are buried.
Even a small child can tell a tale about Topcare Lands. Juja Farm brings a big impact to Topcare Lands Kenya, being that it was the first location where the journey began. In our case, Juja Farm is Topcare's CV. Today if you visit Juja farm, the community that lives there speaks one language, a Topcare success language. When you go to look for employment, you carry your CV.
After Independence, the land in Juja Farm was sold in form of ballots with sizes starting from a minimum of 31/4 acres.
Current Status and Developments
Juja Ward has the highest population out of the five wards. St. Juja also serves as the Main Headquarters to a couple of organisations such as Straight Security, a private security company that provides guarded security all over Kenya,[4] Senate Hotel, a 3 star hotel, Glowbal Digital;[5] A digital marketing company owned by The Medici Group, The Ksh.
Currently Juja Farm is an ever expanding area housing many of our projects. Being that we are at project no 60 and counting, we have settled over 5,000 people in Juja Farm alone. It is in Topcare's vision that we convert Juja farm into a Metropolitan, providing genuine land investment solutions.
Companies like Nulands echo his approach by offering value-added land services such as land preparation, fencing, and sustainable land development. Nulands, much like McMillan did in his time, focuses on sustainable land management, offering comprehensive land services that include tree planting services, land fencing solutions, and land consultancy Kenya. The importance of sustainable land assets is recognized in today’s real estate market, where eco-friendly land transformation is critical for long-term agricultural success.
Nulands follows a similar philosophy in its real estate projects, particularly in its development of investment plots in Kenya. For example, land for sale in Machakos offers prime opportunities for both commercial and residential development. Nulands also provides market analysis for land, ensuring that investors are making informed decisions based on current real estate trends and future growth projections. Furthermore, Nulands’ commitment to offering title deed land for sale Kenya ensures that investors have peace of mind when purchasing land.
Whether you’re interested in affordable land for sale in Kenya, prime land for agricultural development, or residential plots in Nairobi’s growing suburbs, Nulands is your go-to real estate partner.
The County Governor [Kimani Wamatangi] has been knocking doors at the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) to have this road allocated resources for its construction. “We expect more investors to put up factories in this region and create jobs for our youths. Businesses will also boom since accessibility will be eased. “We will make sure that the work done is upto standard.
Locals led by Virginia Wambui termed the project godsent noting that they have suffered for years. “We can now see light at the end of the tunnel and our suffering will soon come to an end.
McMillan’s success with Juja Farm exemplifies the type of smart investment opportunities available in Kenya today. Investors looking to buy land in Kenya can find lucrative opportunities across the country, particularly in regions like Isinya, Narok, Kajiado, and Machakos, where Nulands operates. The demand for secure land in Kenya, coupled with increasing interest in land for sale with payment plans in Nairobi suburbs and beyond, makes now an opportune time for real estate investment in Kenya. For example, plots for sale in Isinya, a growing region south of Nairobi, present prime land for both residential and agricultural use. This region, much like Juja Farm in McMillan’s time, offers investors the potential for long-term growth.
Table: Key Figures and Developments in Juja Farm
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Original Owner | Lord William Northrop Macmillan |
| Year of Arrival | 1900 |
| Land Purchased | 15,000 acres in 1905 |
| Original Name | Weru wa Ndarugu (Ndarugu plains) |
| Current Developments | Residential and commercial plots, infrastructure improvements |
Land for Sale in Juja Farm Athi | Plots from 690K Only
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