Mwatate | |
|---|---|
  Mwatate Location of Mwatate | |
| Coordinates: 03°30′17″S38°22′40″E / 3.50472°S 38.37778°E Coordinates: 03°30′17″S38°22′40″E / 3.50472°S 38.37778°E | |
| Country | Kenya |
| County | Taita-Taveta County |
| Elevation | 844 m (2,769 ft) |
| Population (2015 Estimate) | |
| • Urban | 5,551 |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
Mwatate is a town in Taita-Taveta County, Kenya. It is the county capital, although it is the fourth-largest town in the county. Other urban centers in Taita-Taveta County include Voi, Wundanyi and Taveta. [1]
Mwatate lies about 26 kilometres (16 mi) south-west of Voi, the largest town in the county. [2] This is approximately 181 kilometres (112 mi) north-west of the port city of Mombasa, the nearest large city. [3] Mwatate is located about 354 kilometres (220 mi) south-east of Nairobi, the capital and largest city in Kenya. [4] The coordinates of Mwatate are: 03°30'17.0"S, 38°22'40.0"E (Latitude:-3.504720; Longitude:38.377782). [5]
Mwatate held the headquarters of the whole district during the British colonial rule from 1900 to 1912, when the headquarters moved to Voi. [6] Teita Sisal Estate, one of the largest sisal estates in world, is also located near the town of Mwatate. [7] The town lies at an average elevation of 844 metres (2,769 ft), above sea level. [8]
In 2011, the population of Taita-Taveta County was quoted at 284,657. [9] As of May 2015, the population of Mwatate town was estimated at 1.95 percent of the county population, [10] about 5,551 people. The population of the town has increased in recent years partly because of people migrating to town to establish businesses and others are attracted by the lucrative business of buying and selling the precious stone called Tsavorite, that is found around the area. [11]
Voi is the largest town in Taita-Taveta County in southern Kenya, in the former Coast Province. It lies at the western edge of the Taru Desert, south and west of the Tsavo East National Park. The Sagala Hills are to the south.
Wundanyi is a town in the Taita-Taveta County of Kenya. Other urban centres in the county include Voi, Taveta and Mwatate.
Ruiru is a town in the Kiambu County in Kenya. According to the 2019 national population census,, Ruiru is the 6th largest urban center in Kenya.
Malaba, Kenya is a town in Teso North Sub-County, Busia County, on Kenya's western border with Uganda. It sits across the Malaba River, which forms the international border from Malaba, Uganda.
Taita–Taveta County is a county of Kenya. It lies approximately 140 km northwest of Mombasa and 380 km southeast of Nairobi. The County headquarters are located in Mwatate, which is central to the county.
Taveta is a town in the Taita-Taveta County, Kenya.
Bura is a town in Taita-Taveta County, Kenya.
Liboi is a town in Garissa County, Kenya, at the border with Somalia.
Malindi Airport is an airport in Kenya.
The Teita Sisal Estate is one of the largest sisal estates in the world, and the largest in East Africa. It is located in Kenya's Taita-Taveta County, in the former Coast Province, near the town of Mwatate. The company is active in growing sisal and in manufacturing sisal goods such as rope, sacks and baling twine, at its manufacturing facility in Nairobi.
The Mombasa–Garissa Road, also B8 Road (Kenya) is a major highway in Kenya, the largest economy in the East African Community. The road connects the port city of Mombasa to the inland city of Garissa. This road is composed of the Mombasa–Malindi Road and the Malindi–Garissa Road.
The Nairobi–Mombasa Road, also Mombasa–Nairobi Road or A109 Road (Kenya) is the main road between Nairobi, Kenya's capital and largest city and Mombasa, the country's largest port city. The road is a component of the Northern Corridor.
Voi Airport is an airport in Voi, Kenya.
Kilaguni is a location in Kenya.
Kilaguni Airport is an airport in Kenya.
Mackinnon Road Airport is an airport in Mackinnon Road, Kenya.
Arusha–Holili–Taveta–Voi Road (A23) is a road in Tanzania and Kenya, connecting the towns of Arusha, Moshi, and Holili in Tanzania with Taveta and Voi in Kenya.
The Nairobi–Malaba Road, also Nairobi–Uganda Road or A104 Road (Kenya) is a major highway in Kenya, the largest economy in the East African Community. The road connects Nairobi, the capital and largest city in Kenya, with the border town of Malaba at the international border with Uganda.
Granton Graham Samboja is a Kenyan politician and media executive currently serving as the second governor of Taita Taveta County in the Republic of Kenya. He was elected into office at the General Elections held on 8 August 2017. He is a member of the Wiper Democratic Movement. Samboja capitalized on his background in the media and his strong links with President Uhuru Kenyatta to get into politics. His education background remains the subject of controversy.
