The town derives its name from the principal chief Karuri Wa Gakure who would travel from Tuthu in the slopes of Aberdare Range to meet his counterparts like Kinyanjui Gathirimu.

The council enjoys good climatic conditions as do most areas in Kenya's central region.

Hills, plateaus and high-level structural plains that make it fairly easy for the development of road network characterize Karuri Town Council.

The population has been growing tremendously as a result of the influx of working-class people from Nairobi coming to look for cheaper and convenient accommodation in this township.

Many people working in Nairobi reside in the periphery towns like Gachie, Kihara, Ruaka, Ndenderu, and Karuri.

Population analysis per the LADP 2001 shows that women are more numerous than men, hence a high reproductive capacity.

The population in this category is very needy in terms of social amenities, services and related infrastructure.