Mariakani.html



Mariakani is a town lying on the boundary of Kaloleni and Kinango districts (formerly Kilifi and Kwale respectively), Coast Province of Kenya, 36 kilometres northwest of the port city of Mombasa.

Overview

The boundary between the two districts is the Railway line from Mazeras town upto Maji ya Chumvi centre. The origin of the centre is set in the 15th Century during the long distance trade. This is where Quivers of arrows and bows were left behind by the inland traders from Ukambani when approaching Mombasa Island as a sign of peace. "Riaka" (Mariaka plural; Mariakani the place of quivers)in both Kiduruma and Kigiriama means "Quiver". The Kamba call Quiver "Thyaka" (singular) hence the town is also called "Mathyakani" when speaking in Kikamba. Most of the business activities are done on the Kaloleni side owing to the Mombasa- Nairobi Highway. However, earlier business and development endeavours were done jointly by both side of the boundary. The Kinango side is largely Mwavumbo location and is rarely written of. Its population is dominantly Durumas, Giriamas, and Coastal Kambas, the descentants of the explorers' routes scouts and long distance traders.

Mariakani (Kaloleni side) hosts a town council with a population of 67,984, of whom 10,987 are classified urban (1999 census ¹). The town council consists of five wards: Kaliangombe, Kawala, Mariakani, Mugumo-wa-Patsa, Tsangatsini. All of them are located within Kaloleni Constituency ². Central Mariakani is located in Mariakani location of Kaloleni division of Kilifi district ³⁴.

Transport

Mariakani has a station on the Kenyan Railway system.

See also

• Transport in Kenya

References

External links

• FallingRain - elevation = 183m (Red dots are railways)

Coordinates: 03°52′00″S 39°28′00″E / -3.866667, 39.466667