Its main industry is tourism, as a base for hikers ascending Mount Kenya, to its east.

It has several hotels and holiday tour organizers that bring groups of tourists.

The town has an elevation of around 2200 metres and is classed with having a tropical savannah climate with a winter dry season.

There are farms growing vegetables such as peas, chillies, and safflowers (which are pressed for oil).

It also has a home for children with disabilities (at Mung'etho shopping centre), and a private mixed primary school.