Mwiki

Mwiki is a low-income neighbourhood in the counties of Nairobi and Kiambu. It is approximately 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) northeast of the central business district of Nairobi. Due to its transregional nature, the part of Mwiki that is within Nairobi is referred as Kasarani Mwiki while the other portion domiciled in Kiambu is referred as Githurai Mwiki.

Mwiki
Mwiki Location of Mwiki in Kenya
Coordinates: 1°13′25″S 36°55′52″E / 1.22361°S 36.93111°E / -1.22361; 36.93111
Country	Kenya
County	Nairobi City and Kiambu
Sub-county	Kasarani and Githurai

The two Mwiki regions are separated by the Gatharaini River (Kasarani River) as it flows downstream in an easterly direction to join the Nairobi River.

Location

Mwiki is located approximately 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) northeast of Nairobi's central business district. Kasarani Mwiki is straddled by the Kasarani-Mwiki Road, off Thika Road. Githurai-Mwiki is considered part of the larger Githurai 45 area. Electorally, Mwiki is placed under two constituencies: with Githurai Mwiki being under Ruiru, while Kasarani Mwiki under Kasarani. Mwiki also falls into two administrative areas of Nairobi and Kiambu: Kasarani Mwiki in Nairobi's Kasarani Sub-county, while Githurai Mwiki is administratively managed by the Kiambu's Githurai Sub-county.^[1][2]

Overview

Mwiki is popularly known in two ways, depending on location: Githurai Mwiki and Kasarani Mwiki. Githurai Mwiki is generally a high-density housing and low-income neighbourhood with closely built structures. Residents especially in Githurai Mwiki struggle with limited or poor infrastructure such as schools, due to the growing population.^[3][4] This led to the government to split Ruiru Sub-county^[a] into two: Ruiru and Githurai sub-counties.^[1][2] Mwiki in general has struggled with poor roads, that deem the area inaccessible.^[5]

Mwiki has in the past also struggled with insecurity. It gained a reputation for being one of the breeding grounds of the Mungiki sect.^[6][7][8]

Mwiki wards

Mwiki produces two electoral wards with the same name in the counties of Kiambu and Nairobi City: Mwiki Ward in Kiambu is one of the wards in Ruiru Constituency,^[9] while Mwiki Ward in Nairobi is one of the five electoral wards within Kasarani Constituency.^[10]

Explanatory notes

1. Ruiru Sub-county shared common boundaries with Ruiru Constituency

References

1. "The Kenya Gazette: Vol. CXXIV—No. 21" (PDF). The Kenya Gazette. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
2. "The Kenya Gazette: Vol. CXXII —No. 9" (PDF). The Kenya Gazette. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
3. Kamau, John. "Mwiki Primary still congested despite two new schools". The Star. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
4. "Social distancing impractical, says Mwiki Primary teacher - People Daily". www.pd.co.ke. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
5. Odenyo, Akello. "Matatu operators protest over sorry state of Kasarani-Mwiki road". The Star. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
6. "The Mungiki, the Taliban, and Me - VICE". www.vice.com. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
7. "Mungiki unleash terror in majo". Nation. 3 July 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
8. "'Mungiki's' revenge". Nation. 21 June 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
9. "Mwiki County Assembly Ward". kenyacradle.com. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
10. "About Us – NGCDF Kasarani Constituency". Retrieved 21 November 2022.