Embakasi

Coordinates: 01°19′25″S 36°54′00″E / 1.32361°S 36.90000°E / -1.32361; 36.90000
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Embakasi
Embakasi is located in Kenya
Embakasi
Embakasi
Location of Embakasi in Kenya
Coordinates: 01°19′25″S 36°54′00″E / 1.32361°S 36.90000°E / -1.32361; 36.90000
CountryKenya
CountyNairobi City
Sub-countyEmbakasi

Embakasi, also known as Eastlando by its local youth residents, is a neighbourhood in the city of Nairobi. It is approximately 18 kilometres (11 mi), southeast of the central business district. Embakasi is considered part of Nairobi's Eastlands area, lying to the south-east of Nairobi County. The Embakasi proper covers other estates in Eastlands such as Donholm, Pipeline, Tena, and Makadara estates. It borders South C and contains South B and slightly more than one third of Nairobi's Industrial Area and Export Processing Zones.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is located in Embakasi and it was known as Embakasi Airport when it was launched in 1958.

Airport in 1958
Laundry lines at an estate in Embakasi

Embakasi Sub-county[edit]

The sub-county borrows its name from the neighbourhood and covers part of what was Embakasi Constituency, and is one of the eleven sub-counties in Nairobi. It has a land area of 86.3 km2 (33.3 sq mi).[1] In the 2019 census, Embakasi had a population of 988,808, accounting for more than 22% of the total population of the county, and a population density of 11,460/km2, making it the most populous of the sub-counties in Nairobi City County.[1][2]

Government and infrastructure[edit]

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has its head office on the property of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Embakasi.[3][4] The Kenya Airports Authority also has its head office at the airport.[5]

Education[edit]

Kifaru Primary School is a basic educational facility situated in the Njiru Ward near the Umoja Ward.

Other Schools in Embakasi Area

Economy[edit]

Kenya Airways has its head office in Embakasi.[6] African Express Airways has its head office on the grounds of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Embakasi.[7] JetLink Express has its head office in the Freight Complex in Embakasi.[8]

Transport[edit]

Embakasi is the location of an Inland Container Depot popularly known as the dry port. Embakasi contains the bulk of the Nairobi portion of the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway. The Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway has a cargo station at Embakasi.

In 2010, a passenger railway branchline was proposed from Embakasi to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to relieve overcrowding on the adjacent road.

As of 2022, a low-frequency, unidirectional commuter service was available from the Embakasi SGR station.

2011 petrol fire[edit]

In September 2011 at least 75 people burned[9] to death after a petrol fire broke out in the division.[10] The fire started when a fuel tank at a depot belonging to the Kenya Pipeline Company, spilled fuel into an open sewer running through Embakasi. Residents tried to scoop up fuel from the burst pipe and sewer, and were burned when the petrol ignited after someone threw a cigarette butt into the sewer.[11]

2024 gas explosion[edit]

A gas blast killed at three people and injured nearly 300 on February 2, 2024, in Embakasi. At midnight a lorry carrying gas cylinders exploded and igniting a huge blaze raging close to blocks of flats.[12] The Kenyan government initially said, the accident happened at a gas plant where workers were refilling gas cylinders. Local authorities later clarified that a truck had exploded in a parking yard. The responsible Kenyan Authority Epra stated, that the gas plant was illegal and that it had rejected three applications for construction permits to build a storage and filling facility at the site in Embakasi.[13]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Volume I: Population by County and Sub-County". KNBS. pp. 20, 29, 38. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Embakasi and Kasarani most populated areas in Nairobi". The Standard. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Welcome to KCAA Archived 2010-02-13 at the Wayback Machine." Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved on 14 January 2011. "The Authority’s head offices are currently situated at KAA Complex, JKIA in Nairobi."
  4. ^ "Contact Us." Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved on 14 January 2011. "KCAA Headquarters KAA Complex, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Embakasi."
  5. ^ "Terms of Use." Kenya Airports Authority. Retrieved on 26 May 2011. "Kenya Airports Authority is a company registered in Kenya, whose registered office is at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, Kenya."
  6. ^ "Privacy Policy." Kenya Airways. Retrieved on 14 February 2010. "For the purposes of this policy "Kenya Airways" means Kenya Airways Limited of Airport North Road, Embakasi, Nairobi, Kenya."
  7. ^ "Home." African Express Airways. Retrieved on 21 June 2010. "African Express Airways Contacts: Nairobi: Airport North Road, JKIA"
  8. ^ "Contacts Archived 2010-08-26 at the Wayback Machine." JetLink Express. Retrieved on 27 June 2010. "Head Office Location: Freight Complex 1st Floor Embakasi"
  9. ^ "Kenya Pipeline Company lawsuit (re explosion & fire in Nairobi)". Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  10. ^ "Pipeline fire kills dozens in Nairobi slum". The Guardian. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  11. ^ "Pipeline Fire Kills Dozens in Nairobi Slum". The Guardian. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  12. ^ "Deadly gas explosion in Kenyan capital ignites 'inferno' injuring hundreds". France 24. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Nairobi fire: Gas blast in Kenyan capital kills three and injures nearly 300". 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
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