The small close-knit town of Athi River is today in mourning. For, everyone knows someone who either died or was injured in the disaster.

It is the friendly sort of town where everyone knows everyone else's business ... and today, their business is trying desparately against all logical odds to rebuild the lives of those who survived this terrible tragedy.

Ironically, it is the development of the railway that has made Athi River the town it is today. Though named after one of the country's biggest rivers – the Athi River – which meanders to the Indian Ocean, it is the railway that is the source of life for the residents. It grew from a small village in 1920 to the booming town it is today because those who constructed the railway chose it as the first halt point from Nairobi on the way to the Coast.

From a sparsely populated area, it has grown to the hub of the country's cement industry, with most of the factories having their headquarters here. It also hosts the East African Portland Cement, Chloride Factory, and the Auto Springs Manufactures.

Again, the railway has contributed to this due to the attraction it offers for bulk transportation. Now the town has become the point of choice for young professionals seeking land on which to build homes due to its close proximity to Nairobi, about 30 kms.

Situated at the junction of the Nairobi-Mombasa-Namanga roads, Athi River town was started as a small village around the then Mavoko Railway Station, the present Athi-River Railway Station, back in 1920.

The station was the resting place for Akamba traders on their way to Nairobi. In 1935, Athi River, along with Makindu, Sultan Hamud, Ulu and Simba, were declared trading centres. During the colonial times, Athi River grew under the auspices of the then Nairobi County Council, and when the NCC was dissolved in 1963 the town became un urban council. with its own councillors.

The first chairman of the council was Anthony Mbuto. Since then the town has been elevated to a town council, now under Mayor Peter Mailu.

Old Athi -River town is an industrial area with a high population. of more than ......people. Most of them are workers at the near-by factories, such us the East African Portland Cement, Chloride Factory, and the Auto Springs Manufactures. among others.