Mariakani is a town that lies on the border of Kaloleni and Kinango (formerly Kilifi and Kwale respectively), 36kms northwest of Mombasa.
Colonial time Administration The administrative areas which make up Mariakani was shared between people of the Duruma, Giriama and Kamba communities.
The British colonialists considered it more prudent to administer the dominant ethnic groups separately.
The Kilifi county side had a Giriama and Kamba Chief to take care of the interest of the two ethnic groups, whereas on the Kwale County side, there was another set of two chiefs to represent the Duruma and Kamba people at Mwavumbo Location. The last of these chiefs were the late Chief Johnson Mwero Mwaiga from Matumbi and former Senior Chief Nzana wa Mumo from Gwasheni.
From 1960s and especially after Kenya attained Independence, the practice was discontinued to give way to one chief for the entire Location. The first chief for the Location in Mwavumbo was Mkalla Mwero from Matumbi.
The boundary between the two Counties has changed from the colonial times but today is the Railway line from Mazeras town up to Maji ya Chumvi centre.
The origin of the centre is set in the 15th Century during the long distance trade. Research shows the centre is where Quivers of arrows and bows were left behind by the inland traders from Ukambani when approaching Mombasa Island as a sign of peace.
The sultanate at the time did not allow traders to enter Mombasa with any kind of weaponry.Mariakani (Kilifi county side) hosts a town council with a population of 67,984, of whom 10,987 are classified urban as per the 1999 census.