It is one of seventeen constituencies in Nairobi City County, consisting of central and central to north areas of Nairobi.
The constituency was established for the 1966 elections, with an area of 20 km2 (7.7 sq mi).
Following the 2013 election, Starehe six electoral wards are Nairobi Central, Ngara, Pangani, Landimawe, South B and Ziwani/ Kariokor.
The Sub-county partly shares the same boundaries with Starehe Constituency.
The sub-county is headquartered at Kariokor and headed by a Deputy County Commissioner, working under the Ministry of Interior.