Qena is a city in Upper Egypt, and the capital of the Qena Governorate. Situated on the east bank of the Nile, it was known in antiquity as Kai…Qena is a city in Upper Egypt, and the capital of the Qena Governorate. Situated on the east bank of the Nile, it was known in antiquity as Kaine and Maximianopolis. Gauthier identifies Qena with ancient Shabt. Qena meaning in Arabic "very red" of fertile land.