title: Mwatate
text: # Mwatate
  
  Mwatate is a town in Taita-Taveta County, Kenya. It is the county capital, although it is the fourth-largest town in the county. Other urban centers in Taita-Taveta County include Voi, Wundanyi and Taveta.
  
  ## Location
  
  Mwatate lies about 26 kilometres (16 mi) south-west of Voi, the largest town in the county. This is approximately 181 kilometres (112 mi) north-west of the port city of Mombasa, the nearest large city. Mwatate is located about 354 kilometres (220 mi) south-east of Nairobi, the capital and largest city in Kenya. The coordinates of Mwatate are: 03°30'17.0"S, 38°22'40.0"E (Latitude:-3.504720; Longitude:38.377782).
  
  ## Overview
  
  Mwatate held the headquarters of the whole district during the British colonial rule from 1900 to 1912, when the headquarters moved to Voi. Teita Sisal Estate, one of the largest sisal estates in world, is also located near the town of Mwatate. The town lies at an average elevation of 844 metres (2,769 ft), above sea level.
  
  ## Population
  
  In 2011, the population of Taita-Taveta County was quoted at 284,657. As of May 2015, the population of Mwatate town was estimated at 1.95 percent of the county population, about 5,551 people. The population of the town has increased in recent years partly because of people migrating to town to establish businesses and others are attracted by the lucrative business of buying and selling the precious stone called Tsavorite, that is found around the area.
  
  