Machakos

History

Machakos was established in 1887, ten years before Nairobi. Machakos was the first administrative centre for the British colony, but they moved the capital of Kenya to Nairobi in 1899 since Machakos was by-passed by the Uganda Railway that was under construction. Town and the county were named after Masaku wa Munyati, an Akamba chief who arrived in the area in 1816 from the area around Sultan Hamud.

Sudan-related peace talks were held in Machakos, resulting in the Machakos Protocol on 20 July 2002.

Towns in Machakos County

* 2009 census. Source:

Economy, transport and tourism

Machakos open air market. Fruits, vegetables and other food stuffs like maize mbemba, beans mboso, etc. are sold here. Major market days are Mondays and Fridays. One can buy second hand clothes mutumba in the open air market, situated differently from the market marikiti.

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. It also has the larger administrative offices in lower Ukambani.

Machakos town also has good road infrastructure and town planning. It also has a well planned bus terminal at the heart of the town. There is a bus terminus in Nairobi popularly known as the Machakos Airport. It's a busy place where Buses and Matatus depart for Machakos and Kitui as well as Western Kenya, Nyanza and the Rift Valley.

Machakos has a beautiful hilly scenery that is perfect for camping and hiking. This consists of tricky terrain that would challenge any camper. It is also 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 located on Kituluni Hill, a famous spot known as Kya Mwilu to the east of Machakos town. As the slogan of Machakos County goes, it is " The Place to be"

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 the Machakos Social Hall and is the home ground to Sofapaka FC.

Restaurants and Entertainment Spots

Gelian Hotel is the biggest hotel in the town but one can get a nice 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 also boasts of the classy Garden Hotel with lush green outdoor sitting and five star 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, ABC girls Academy and Katoloni. High schools include Machakos Girls, Machakos School, St. Monica, St. Valentine Girls, Mumbuni High School and Katoloni among others.

Tertiary education is still growing, with new colleges like Machakos University, Machakos Teachers Training college, Machakos Institute of Technology, Copperbelt College, Century Park College, African Training Center for Research and Technology, Scott Christian University and Computers for school 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. Some 67 people perished in the flames 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.