Machakos town marks 100 years

By Daniel Nzia

A journey of a thousand miles, a Chinese saying goes, starts with a step and for Machakos town, it has taken a hundred years.

A street in Machakos town, which served as the first administrative centre for Kenya. The town marks a 100 years of existence.

Like a king without a crown, the town, started by British colonialists as their administrative headquarters, has watched as Nairobi and others flourish, leaving it behind.

However, as it celebrates its centenary, there is a ray of hope for the town, which began started with so much promise.

A stroke of bad luck saw the town miss being the centre and the heartbeat of the nation by 16km.

It started like this: When founders of the British colony pitched camp in 1889, they found it suitable as their headquarters.

A plaque intalled by British colonialists. [PHOTOS: DANIEL NZIA/STANDARD]

But when the construction of the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway reached the capital, the colonialist gave Machakos town a wide berth.

Overtaken

That confined the town to obscurity and Nairobi, which started six years later, prospered.

The death knell was sounded in 1899 when the administrative offices were moved from Machakos to Nairobi.

And for the past 100 years, it has been reduced to a mere town, not even a provincial headquarters.

But now, Machakos is set to regain its glory, following its inclusion in the Nairobi Metropolis, which designates it as a key player in the envisioned plan.

In the new scheme of things, Machakos and some towns, will share the glory of being within the metropolitan area without losing their autonomy.

And as the town turns 100 years old, it has lined up a series of activities to mark its inception.

The much-publicised centennial celebration for Kenya’s first capital city, Machakos kicks off in the town, today.

The three-day event will be graced by top leaders from Ukambani and beyond.

Machakos DC Bernard Kinyua, who has been chairing the occasion’s preparation committee, announced yesterday, they were set for the festivities at Kenyatta Stadium.

The fanfare include traditional dances, music, and sporting activities among them marathon and soccer.

The town and the district were named Masaku after an Akamba chief whose grandson, the late Paul Joseph Ngei, became a top politician.

Nairobi Metropolitan Development Minister Mutula Kilonzo describes Machakos as "very important in the country’s history."

Feast

Mr Kilonzo is at the helm of Nairobi Metropolitan Ministry, and has donated three bulls among the 20 to be slaughtered during the celebrations.

Local leaders led by Youth Affairs and Sports Assistant Minister Wavinya Ndeti and Machakos Town MP Victor Munyaka have appealed to locals to turn out in large numbers.

Dubbed "Machakos 100", the festivities will run till Friday, December 19.

But not everybody is enthusiastic. "What are we celebrating in a town more than 100 years old but lacks basic amenities such as water, good roads and other infrastructure," asked a resident who sought anonymity.

He says the event will mean three days of dry taps and most of them will have to buy water.

A 20-litre-jerrican retails at between Sh15 and Sh20, depending on the distance the water vendors travels.

But Ms Ndeti welcomes the inclusion of Machakos town in the proposed metropolis, saying Machakos is a district that has produced great men and women.

She wants local leaders and wananchi to reflect on the town’s history, and focus on where it should be in the next 100 years.

The Kathiani MP has also called for conservation of historical sites to attract tourists to the town.

Landmark

Dr Munyaka terms the celebrations a landmark for Machakos town. "The town played a major role in history being the first to host the country’s administrative headquarters. We should be proud as Machakos residents," he says.

Machakos may have lost the contest to be the seat of Government to Nairobi, but still has some cherished memories.

The DC’s residence and other colonial buildings, have withstood the sands of times and been gazzeted as museums by the National Museums of Kenya.