Mukurweini

Mukurweini was a former district in Nyeri County, Kenya.

Mukurweini was elevated from a division to district status in 2008. The old Mukurweini Divisional boundaries remained as the new district's boundaries. Before Kenya's Independence in 1963, Mukurweini was referred to as South Tetu Division. It was one of the seven new districts that were created out of the old Nyeri District of Central Province of Kenya. The district headquarters were located at Kiahungu Township which is also the commercial hub for Mukurweini.

In 2010, the district was merged with others to form Nyeri County.

Mukurweini District bordered Ndia Division (Kirinyaga District) to the south-east, Mathira and Tetu Districts to the North, Othaya Districts to the West and Kiharu and Mathioya Districts?(Muranga District) to the south. Mukurweini had the smallest surface of the seven new districts. Mukurweini's main frontiers were delianated by four important rivers: Gikira to the West, Gura to the north, Mugono to the south and - the biggest - Thagana River to the east (a major tributary of Kenya's largest river, the Tana River). Mukurweini was divided into seven administrative locations namely Gakindu, Giathugu, Gikondi, Githi, Muhito, Rutune and Thanu. The locations also constituted the electoral wards for the Nyeri County - sanctioned under the new Constitution to elect one Senator and a Governor as head of the County government.

In addition to being the former administrative centre, Kiahungu Township, in Muhito location, is also the seat for the following: Mukurweini District Hospital, the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), the Nyeri Farmers Sacco, the Wakulima Dairy Farmers Sacco Wakulima dairy, a branch of Equity Bank and the Divisional offices for the Nyeri County Council.

Kiahungu township was established in 1945 soon after the second world war. Four aspiring businessmen built three small stores, some still standing. One of those was the late Erastus Kang'aru Wachira. He went on to build and boost the township's commercial stature before expanding business to Nyeri town proper. He went on to become a major business figure in the old Nyeri and surrounding Districts under the business name of E. K. Wachira and Sons.

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