Karatina is a town in Nyeri County,

Kenya ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi ...

. It hosts a municipal council and the headquarters of Mathira East district. Karatina municipality has a total population of 6,852, all classified as urban (1999 census). It has six electoral wards, all in the Mathira Constituency; the remaining five wards of Mathira constituency represent Nyeri County Council.

Geography

Karatina is on the

Nairobi Nairobi ( ) is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The name is derived from the Maasai phrase ''Enkare Nairobi'', which translates to "place of cool waters", a reference to the Nairobi River which flows through the city. The city proper h ...

–

Nyeri Nyeri is a town situated in the Central Highlands of Kenya. It is the county headquarters of Nyeri County. The town was the central administrative headquarters of the country's former Central Province. Following the dissolution of the former pr ...

highway, 25 kilometres southeast of Nyeri town and south of Mount Kenya. It is at an elevation of .

History

Karatina was a popular open air market before colonial period, barter trade took place under a muratina tree, hence the name Karatina. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

a dried vegetable factory was built in Karatina, providing the people with dried fruits. other people think the town's name came from the English name ' quarantine ' that locals pronounced as 'karantina'.

Health

There are two major hospitals in Karatina, the government-funded Karatina General Hospital and the private Jamii Hospital. In addition, PCEA TumuTumu Hospital is a few miles west of Karatina.

Economy

Karatina town hosts the largest open air market in Kenya and the People living in Karatina are known to be very active with most economic operations beginning at 4am and ending at 10pm. More than 90% are Kikuyus which form the largest tribe in Kenya. There are many auxiliary services and the town is rich in agricultural products are well. There is an ideal mix of urban and rural life. In 2017 one of the

Uchumi Supermarkets Uchumi Supermarkets, often referred to simply as Uchumi, is a Kenyan supermarket chain. The word means "economy" in Swahili. Overview Uchumi is headquartered in Kenya. , Uchumi is one of a number of Kenyan supermarket chains that serve Kenya, ...

branch got shut down in Karatina. In 2018, Maguna brand of supermarkets opened 2 Supermarkets within the town. The town also plays host to another supermarket; Maathai Supermarket. There is huge potential for agricultural based industries which is yet to be exploited. With the resumption of railway transport and the completion of Kenol-Marua super highway many investors are lining up to relocate to Karatina.

Schools and universities

*Kanyama Secondary School *

Karatina University Karatina University is a public university in the town of Karatina, in central Kenya. History Karatina University was founded in 2007 as a Moi University campus for central Kenya, called the Moi University Central Kenya Campus. Located about 1 ...

*Karatina DEB Primary School * Kirigu Primary School *Ruthagati High School Kirimara high school

References

{{Coord, -0.4817, 37.1251, display=title, region:KE-200_type:city Nyeri County Populated places in Central Province (Kenya)