Kasarani is a

mixed-use Mixed use is a type of urban development, urban design, urban planning and/or a zoning classification that blends multiple uses, such as residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, or entertainment, into one space, where those functions ...

neighbourhood in northeast

Nairobi Nairobi is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Kenya. The city lies in the south-central part of Kenya, at an elevation of . The name is derived from the Maasai language, Maasai phrase , which translates to 'place of cool waters', a ...

. Kasarani is also used in reference to the city's second most populated sub-county with the same name, encompasing various neighbourhoods in the northeastern areas of Nairobi. Located within the larger Kasarani area, the Kasarani enclave is approximately (7 miles) northeast of Nairobi's

central business district A central business district (CBD) is the Commerce, commercial and business center of a city. It contains commercial space and offices, and in larger cities will often be described as a financial district. Geographically, it often coincides wit ...

off Thika Road.

Location

The Kasarani neighbourhood is located along Thika Road, approximately , by road, northeast of Nairobi's

. The greater Kasarani area has other suburbs domiciled within it and shares common boundaries with what was known as Kasarani Division prior to 2013. Areas that are electorally placed in Roysambu, Ruaraka, part of Kasarani, and part of Emabakasi North constituencies are within the Kasarani Sub-county of

Naming

It is believed that the name Kasarani originated from a river that flows through the area which has the Kikuyu name "Gathara-ini" River.

Sports

Kasarani is home to the

Moi International Sports Centre The Moi International Sports Centre (abbreviated as MISC, locally referred to as the Kasarani stadium) is a multi-purpose stadium in Kasarani, Kenya. It was built in 1987 for the All-Africa Games held in Nairobi. The facilities include a 60,000-s ...

(Alias. Kasarani Stadium), named after former President

Daniel arap Moi Daniel Toroitich arap Moi ( ; 2 September 1924 – 4 February 2020) was a Kenyan politician who served as the second president of Kenya from 1978 to 2002. He is the country's longest-serving president to date. Moi previously served as the thi ...

. The sports complex has a stadium, gymnasium, swimming pool and hotel. The stadium is used by the Harambee Stars for international matches, and is the home stadium of

Mathare United Mathare United Football Club is a professional association football, football club based in Nairobi, Kenya. The club competed in the Kenyan Premier League (the highest tier of the Kenyan football league system), but in 2023, the club was relegat ...

and Tusker F.C. of the

Kenyan Premier League The Kenyan Premier League (KPL), officially known as the FKF Premier League, is a professional league for men's football clubs in Kenya. Standing at the top of the Kenyan football league system, the league was formed in 1963 under the Kenya Foo ...

. The indoor arena is used for volleyball, and is the home venue for the Kenya women's national volleyball team.

Notable landmarks

Kasarani is home to the USIU Africa and Pan African Christian University campuses, Kasarani Technical and Vocational College in Kamulu, Ruai, Jalyn Junior Academy and Kasarani Group of Schools & Kevin Kihara's home. The Sport view Hotel and Safari Park Hotel are also here. The area also has the Garden City, and Thika Road malls shopping complexes off the Thika Road highway.

Notable businesses

Kasarani is served by several shopping mails such as Mountain Mall, Thika Road Mall and Garden City. Kasarani Portal, an enterprise listing businesses in Kasarani is located in Seasons Estate. There is also Equity Bank branch in the region and Modesto Kitchen & bar.

References

External links

Website of USIU Africa
{{nairobi, state=collapsed Suburbs of Nairobi Nairobi