Embakasi

Embakasi is a neighborhood in the city of Nairobi. It is about 18 kilometres, or 11 miles, southeast of the central business district. Embakasi is part of Nairobi's Eastlands area and is to the southeast of Nairobi County. The area includes other estates such as Donholm, Pipeline, Tena, and Makadara, and it borders South C. Embakasi also contains a portion of Nairobi's Industrial Area and the Export Processing Zones.

One of the most important features of Embakasi is the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. This airport was originally called Embakasi Airport when it opened in 1958. It has since grown to become a major gateway for travel in and out of Kenya.

Embakasi Sub-county

The Embakasi Sub-county is named after the neighborhood of Embakasi. It is part of what used to be the Embakasi Constituency. It is one of the eleven sub-counties in Nairobi. The area covers 86.3 km² (33.3 sq mi). Embakasi has many people, making it the most populous sub-county in Nairobi City County.

Government and infrastructure

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has its main office at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Embakasi. The Kenya Airports Authority also has its main office at the same airport.

Education

Kifaru Primary School is a basic school in the Njiru area, near Umoja. Our Lady Of Nazareth Primary School is a Catholic school in Mkuru Kwa Njenga. There are other schools in the Embakasi area. Schools

Economy

Kenya Airways has its main office in Embakasi. African Express Airways also has its main office at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Embakasi. JetLink Express has its main office in the Freight Complex in Embakasi.

Transport

Embakasi has a place called an Inland Container Depot, or dry port. It is where a big part of the road between Nairobi and Mombasa is located. The Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway has a spot in Embakasi for cargo.

In 2010, there was a plan to build a train line from Embakasi to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to help with traffic on the nearby road.

By 2022, there was a train service from the Embakasi SGR station, but it only went one way and didn't run very often.

2011 petrol fire

In September 2011, a fire happened in Embakasi. Fuel spilled from a tank at a depot, and people tried to collect it. The fuel caught fire after something was thrown into the sewer. Many people were hurt in the accident.

2024 gas explosion

On February 2, 2024, a big explosion happened in Embakasi when a truck carrying gas cylinders blew up. This caused a large fire near some buildings where people lived. Sadly, some people were killed and many were hurt. The Kenyan government said the gas plant was not allowed and had been turned down for permits before.