Kirinyaga District was an administrative district in the Central Province of Kenya. Its administrative centre is Kerugoya.[1] As of 1999, the district had a population of 457,105 and an area of 1,478 km².[2]
Kirinyaga District was historically part of Embu District until prior to independence when the colonial government made it its own district.[3] In 2013, Kirinyaga District effectively disappeared and Kirinyaga County was effected as per the constitution of Kenya.
History
Kirinyaga District was created in 1963 out of the western part of Embu District.[1]
In 2007 new districts were created and Kirinyaga District was divided into four new districts: Kirinyaga Central with its administrative centre at Kerugoya; Kirinyaga East with its administrative centre at Kianyaga; Kirinyaga South with its administrative centre at Wanguru; and Kirinyaga West with its administrative centre at Baricho. Following a High Court ruling in September 2009, that there are only 46 legal districts in Kenya.[4]
Administration
The County Council of Kirinyaga administered all of Kirinyaga District, except the area administered by the Municipal Council of Kerugoya /Kutus and the Town council of Sagana-Kagio.[1]
Subdivisions
Kirinyaga District is divided as follows:
| Local authorities (councils) | ||||
| Authority | Type | Population* | Urban pop.* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kerugoya/Kutus | Municipality | 39,441 | 14,056 | |
| Sagana | Town | 22,475 | 3,031 | |
| Kirinyaga | County | 395,189 | 13,103 | |
| Total | - | 457,105 | 30,190 | |
| * 1999 census. Source: [1] | ||||
| Administrative divisions | |||
| Division | Population* | Urban pop.* | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central | 74,068 | 12,585 | Kerugoya |
| Gichugu | 121,738 | 1,988 | Kianyaga |
| Mwea | 125,962 | 7,625 | Wanguru |
| Ndia | 135,337 | 2,960 | Baricho |
| Total | 457,105 | 25,158 | - |
| * 1999 census. Sources: [2], [3], | |||
The district has four constituencies: