Karatina

Karatina is a town located in Nyeri County, Kenya, serving as the headquarters of Mathira East subcounty. It is situated on the Nairobi – Nyeri highway, approximately 25 kilometers southeast of Nyeri town, and lies south of Mount Kenya. The town is at an elevation of 1,868 meters (6,129 ft).Historically, Karatina has been a significant open-air market since before the colonial period. The town's name is thought to have originated from trade conducted under a "muratina" tree, or possibly from the English word "quarantine" which locals pronounced as "karantina". During World War II, a dried vegetable factory was established in Karatina, providing dried fruits to the populace.Economically, Karatina is renowned for hosting the largest open-air market in Kenya, with economic activities typically commencing early at 4 AM and continuing until 10 PM. The population is predominantly Kikuyu, the largest tribe in Kenya, and the town benefits from a rich agricultural sector, offering an ideal blend of urban and rural life. Karatina also hosts numerous major banks and saccos, indicating a strong economic foundation. The town has two main hospitals: the government-funded Karatina General Hospital and the private Jamii Hospital, with PCEA TumuTumu Hospital also located nearby. The resumption of railway transport and the completion of the Kenol-Marua superhighway are expected to attract further investment to Karatina.