Mûkûrwe'inî was a former district in Nyeri County, Kenya.
Mûkûrwe'inî was elevated from a division to district status in 2008. The old Mûkûrwe'inî Divisional boundaries remained as the new district's boundaries. Before Kenya's Independence in 1963, Mûkûrwe'inî 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 Mûkûrwe'inî.
In 2010, the district was merged with others to form Nyeri County.
Overview
Mûkûrwe'inî District bordered Ndia Constituency, (Kirinyaga County) to the south-east, Mathira and Tetu Constituencies to the North, Othaya Constituency to the West and Kiharu and Mathioya Constituencies and (Muranga County) to the south. Mûkûrwe'inî had the smallest surface of the seven new districts. Mûkûrwe'inî's main frontiers were delianated by four important rivers: Gikira to the West, Gura to the north, Mugono to the south and - the biggest River - River Tana 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 four electoral wards of Mukurwe-ini constituency are Mukurwe-ini West, Gikondi, Mukurwe-ini Central and Rugi.
Kîahûngû Township
In addition to being the former administrative centre, Kîahûngû Township, in Mûhîto location, is also the seat for the following: Mûkûrwe'inî Sub-County Hospital, the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), the Nyeri Farmers Sacco, the Wakulima Dairy, Royal milk, Wakulima Farmers Sacco, a branch of Equity Bank and the Divisional offices for the Nyeri County Council.
Kîahûngû 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.
Electoral constituencies
The district's administrative boundaries also constituted the Parliamentary electoral area known as Mukurweini Constituency. The electoral area was initially known as South Tetu constituency but was renamed Mukurwe-ini in 1971, and ratified in 1974 when Othaya Division was hived off and made an electoral area. The current member of parliament is Hon. Anthony Kiai alias High Flyer of the High Flyer Publishers. Hon. Kabando wa Kabando who was also the Assistant Minister for Youth & Sports in the Government of Kenya represented the constituency in Parliament in the years 2007-2013 and 2013-2017. Past Members of Parliament (MPs) for the area include Henry Wariithi Mutahi(1964–69,1974–79, and 1979–83), Morris Mwai Koigi(1969–74), Ngumbu Njururi Maiyani(1983–88 and 1988–92) and David Muhika Mutahi(1992–97 and 1997-2002), a prominent farmer and businessman who is the leading light behind the Wakulima Dairy Farmers Association. The immediate former Member of Parliament is Hon. Mutahi Kagwe (2002–2007).who is also the former Minister for Information and Communications.
Education & Health
The major educational institutions located in the former division are South Tetu Girls', Mweru and Kaheti High Schools, Mukurweini (former Kiangoma, and the oldest secondary school in the District built in 1951), Giathugu, Ngoru, Gikondi, Mihuti, Wamutitu, Tambaya, Gathungururu, Ndia-ini, Rutune, Kibutio,Karindi, Ichamara, St. Ann Githunguri, Kihuti, Thangathi, ACK Kiuu and Kaharo Secondary Schools and the Reverend Muhoro School for the Deaf. Notable health facilities in the former division include the Mukurwe-ini Sub-District Hospital, a fully fledged hospital with ward and surgical facilities, the Gikondi Mission Hospital(Nyagaitwa), Karaba, Mweru, Giathugu, Gakindu, Thangathi, Kiuu, Ichamara and Gumba Health Centres and Mihuti Dispensary.