Mwatate

Mwatate is a village in Taita-Taveta District in the southern side of the Taita Hills. It is the headquarters of the Mwatate administrative division of the district. Mwatate held the headquarters of the whole district during the British colonial rule from 1900 to 1912, when the headquarters moved to Voi. ^[1] Teita sisal estate, one of the largest sisal estates in world, is also located near the town of Mwatate.

Mwatate division has a total population of 56,365 ^[2]. The division has an urban population of 3,386, all of them are from Mwatate location ^[3].

Mwatate has a railway station along the branch line from Voi to Tanzania. However, passenger service along the track has been suspended years ago.

The village of Bura is located 10 kilometres west of Mwatate.

References

1. ^ Bravman B.: Making ethnic ways: communities and their transformation in Taita, Kenya 1800-1950 (1998)
2. ^ Communications Commission of Kenya: Status of Coverage of Communications Services (based on 1999 census)
3. ^ International Livestock Research Institute: Urban Poverty Estimates For Kenya's Provinces, Districts, Divisions and Locations (based on 1999 census)