Githurai
{{Short description|Mixed-use settlements in Nairobi County and Kiambu County, Kenya}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Githurai
|other_name =
|native_name =
|nickname = Githu
|settlement_type = Suburb
|motto =
|image_skyline = File:Githurai.jpg
|image_alt =
|imagesize =
|image_caption = Githurai viewed from Thika road.
|image_flag =
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|pushpin_map =Kenya
|pushpin_label_position =bottom
|pushpin_map_caption =Location in Kenya
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name ={{flag|Kenya}}
|subdivision_type1 = County
|subdivision_name1 =Nairobi County & Kiambu County
|subdivision_type2 = Sub-counties
|subdivision_name2 = Kasarani & Githurai
|subdivision_type3 =
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|area_total_km2 = 25.5
|area_land_km2 =
|population_as_of = 2019
|population_note = Population in Githurai sub-locations in Nairobi and Kiambu counties
|population_total = 262327
|population_density_km2 = 17477
|timezone = EAT
|utc_offset = +3
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|postal_code = 00232
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}}
Githurai is a composition of densely populated, urban, mixed-use settlements located at the border of Nairobi County and Kiambu County along the Thika Road. Githurai is divided into two; Githurai 45 (also known as Githurai Kimbo) and Githurai 44. Githurai 45 falls under Ruiru Municipality in the Githurai Sub-county of Kiambu County with the boundary being the Thika Road reserve and River Kasarani (also known as River Gathara-ini) downstream. Githurai 44 is domiciled in the Kasarani Sub-county of Nairobi County. Githurai 44 neighbours Kahawa West, Zimmerman and Njatha-ini Village.
Infrastructure
Githurai is home to St Lucie Kiriri Girls High School and Kiriri Women's University of Science and Technology[http://www.kwust.ac.ke/ Welcome to Kiriri Women's University]. Kwust.ac.ke (15 May 2008). Retrieved 22 October 2011. Lily Academy and St. Kizito Vocational Training Institute.[http://www.stkizito.com/ Vocational Training Institute – vocational training courses in Kenya]. St.Kizito. Retrieved 22 October 2011.http://www.calvarymagazine.org/PDF/Issue_35/Kenya.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721153745/http://www.calvarymagazine.org/PDF/Issue_35/Kenya.pdf |date=21 July 2011 }} {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}} Githurai is served by the Thika Road Super Highway and a branch of the Kenya-Uganda Railway from Nairobi to Thika via Ruiru. There exists a Kenya Army Amoury belonging to the Kahawa Garrison/Barracks in Githurai Kimbo. A Githurai Shopping Centre exists.{{cite web |url=https://www.yellowpageskenya.com/search-results/githurai? |title=Yellow Pages Kenya - Find local businesses, products and services in Kenya with Yellow Pages Kenya. Browse phone numbers, addresses and reviews of businesses near you. |website=www.yellowpageskenya.com |access-date=24 April 2022}} Githurai Community Clinic is near, but not in Githurai.[http://www.ehealth.or.ke/facilities/facility.aspx?fas=10273 Githurai Community Clinic | eHealth Kenya] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722131943/http://www.ehealth.or.ke/facilities/facility.aspx?fas=10273 |date=22 July 2011 }}. Ehealth.or.ke. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
Other residential areas in the Nairobi include Kahawa, Kasarani, Dandora, Ongata Rongai and Ruai.{{cite web |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr32/005/2009/en/ |title=Kenya: The unseen majority: Nairobi's two million slum-dwellers |date=12 June 2009 |accessdate=2016-12-04}} Githurai is extremely urban and heavily dominated by the Kikuyu tribe who are proficient in businesses. The presence of multiple campuses in the vicinity of the town has also increased the population exponentially.
Politics
Githurai is widely regarded as the "gateway" to the Mount Kenya political bedrock. Politicians looking to cement their presence in the vote-rich mountain region often use the Githurai area as a launching pad of their politics.{{cite web | url=https://www.kbc.co.ke/githurai-traders-furious-over-dp-rutos-unfulfilled-promise | title=Githurai traders furious over DP Ruto's unfulfilled promise | date=7 January 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/kenya/article/2001401503/you-were-conned-raila-tells-githurai-youth | title=You were conned: Raila tells Githurai youth }}