The green scenery has been replaced with mushroomed red mansion rooftops as the city of Nairobi spread north.
The area is also known for dairy farming; and for horticulture, such as small-scale flower growing, from which a number of families have made livelihoods.
Banana Hill has recently acquired its own identity as a significant shopping district in Kiambaa Division.
Banana Hill is a multi-ethnic, multi-racial town with a reputation for welcoming refugees fleeing from local and international conflict areas, amongst them: Uganda, Mozambique, and South Africa when it was under apartheid rule.
Banana Hills is a major transit point for passengers traveling to Limuru, Kiambu, Wangige, Kikuyu town and other outlying areas.
The matatu system relies on use of privately owned vehicles with assigned drives and touts, for which passengers are charged slightly higher fares than for bus travel.