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Machakos, also called Masaku is a town in
Kenya ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...
, southeast of
Nairobi Nairobi ( ) is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The name is derived from the Maasai phrase ''Enkare Nairobi'', which translates to "place of cool waters", a reference to the Nairobi River which flows through the city. The city proper ha ...
. It is the capital of the
Machakos County Machakos County is one of the 47 counties of Kenya, which came into being because of the devolved system of governance occasioned by the 2010 constitution of Kenya. The country's first administrative headquarters are in Machakos Town, which is ...
,
Kenya ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...
. Its population is rapidly growing and was 150,041 as of 2009 and Machakos County had a population of 1,421,932 as of 2019. People who live here are mostly of the Akamba ethnicity. Machakos is surrounded by hilly terrain, with a high number of family farms.


History

Machakos was established in 1887 by Sakshi Shah, ten years before Nairobi. Machakos was the first administrative centre for the
British colony The British Overseas Territories (BOTs), also known as the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs), are fourteen territories with a constitutional and historical link with the United Kingdom. They are the last remnants of the former Bri ...
, the capital was moved to Nairobi in 1899 when Machakos was by-passed by the
Uganda Railway The Uganda Railway was a metre-gauge railway system and former British state-owned railway company. The line linked the interiors of Uganda and Kenya with the Indian Ocean port of Mombasa in Kenya. After a series of mergers and splits, the lin ...
that was under construction. Technically Machakos is the oldest administrative municipality in east and central Africa. Prominent politicians from the town included: Mwatu wa Ngoma, Paul Joseph Ngei, Mutisya Mulu and Jonstone Muthama. The town and county were named after Masaku wa Munyati, a Kamba chief who arrived in the area in 1816 from the area around Sultan Hamud.
Sudan Sudan ( or ; ar, السودان, as-Sūdān, officially the Republic of the Sudan ( ar, جمهورية السودان, link=no, Jumhūriyyat as-Sūdān), is a country in Northeast Africa. It shares borders with the Central African Republic t ...
-related peace talks were held in Machakos, resulting in the '' Machakos Protocol'' on 20 July 2002. Machakos town is on hill terrain and surrounded by Iveti hills.


Areas in Machakos Town


Economy, Mining, transport and tourism

Machakos' open air markets sells many products. Major market days are Monday and Friday. Mavoko area of Machakos houses a major nation's cement mining sites and factories. Machakos has a number of banks such a Barclays, Equity, National Bank, NIC Bank, Credit Bank, Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA), Standard Chartered, K-rep, Co-operative and Kenya Commercial in the CBD and the Universal traders sacco. It has the larger administrative offices in lower Ukambani. Machakos town has good road infrastructure and town planning. It has a well-planned bus terminal at the heart of the town popularly known as the 'Machakos Airport'. It's a busy place where buses and
matatu In Kenya matatu or matatus (known as mathree in Sheng) are privately owned minibuses used as share taxis. Often decorated, many ''matatu'' feature portraits of famous people or slogans and sayings. Likewise, the music they play is also aimed ...
s depart for Machakos and Kitui as well as Western Kenya, Nyanza and the Rift Valley. Machakos has hilly scenery, good for camping and hiking. It is the home town of some of the world's most beautiful sculptures made in Wamunyu. Kaloleni near Ngelani, is famous for "water flowing against gravity". It is on Kituluni Hill, a spot known as Kya Mwilu to the east of Machakos. As the slogan of
Machakos County Machakos County is one of the 47 counties of Kenya, which came into being because of the devolved system of governance occasioned by the 2010 constitution of Kenya. The country's first administrative headquarters are in Machakos Town, which is ...
goes, it is "The Place to be".


The Machakos Peoples' Park

A modern recreation park. It is situated adjacent to Maruba dam, which is the main source of water to Machakos Town.


Culture and sports

Major sports grounds include the Machakos Golf Club spread over a large lush area including a 9-hole golf course. There is also Kenyatta Stadium which is adjacent to the Machakos Social Hall and is the home ground to Sofapaka FC. It is a busy stadium, being used in many of Kenya Premier League (KPL)'s schedules and Internal matches. The stadium which was renovated to modern standards stadium is set to be renamed to Kalonzo Musyoka Stadium.


Restaurants and entertainment spots

Gelian Hotel is the biggest in the town, but one can get breakfast or lunch at T-Tot hotel or a drink at either Ikuuni, Bulls, Buddies, Club Wizard, Hornbill, Club Legend or New Boma. Other hotels and guest houses are Lysak Haven Park, Shanbad house or Le Technish. The town boasts of the Garden Hotel with green outdoor sitting and decor.


Education

Primary schools in Machakos include Machakos Primary, St. Mary's Boys and Girls, Muthini Primary, Township Muslim Primary School, St. Teresas Primary, Machakos Academy, ABC Girls Academy, One Hill Academy Premese Academy, Lukenya Academy, Makutano Academy, Mumbuni Primary, Baptist Primary, Highrise School Mks, and Katoloni. High schools include Pope Paul VI Junior Seminary (Popase), Machakos Girls,
Machakos School Machakos School, otherwise known as Machakos High School, is a boys national school located in Machakos county in Kenya ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_ ...
, St. Monica, St. Valentine Girls, Mumbuni High School
Kitulu day secondary school Kitulu Day Secondary School is a secondary school located in Machakos County Machakos County is one of the 47 counties of Kenya, which came into being because of the devolved system of governance occasioned by the 2010 constitution of Kenya ...
and Katoloni among others. Tertiary education is still growing, with new universities and colleges like Machakos University, Machakos Teachers Training College, Machakos Institute of Technology, Copperbelt College, Century Park College, Lukenya University, African Training Centre for Research and Technology, Scott Christian University and Computers for School Kenya. The most advanced and oldest collage remains the Kenya Medical Training College Machakos Campus. Prominent students from KMTC Machakos include John Mutuku Kivunga HSC, who is now a renowned clinical officer in Kenya.


The Kyanguli Secondary School Fire

On 26 March 2001, a fire was set at Kyanguli Secondary School after the final exam. Results were annulled and payment of their outstanding school fees was demanded (by whom?). 67 people perished and another 19 were injured, including one of the perpetrators. The two perpetrators, Felix Mambo Ngumbao, 16, and Davies Otieno Onyango, 17, were charged with murder.


References


External links


Bluegecko.orgKenyan Deals
{{Authority control Machakos County Populated places in Eastern Province (Kenya) County capitals in Kenya Former national capitals