Makueni

Makueni County​

Makueni County is located in the former Eastern Province of Kenya. It covers an area of 8,008.7 km2 and borders Machakos County to the north, Kitui County to the east, Taita-Taveta County to the south, and Kajiado County to the west. The county lies between latitudes 1°35' and 3°00' south and longitudes 37°10' and 38°30' east.
The landscape of Makueni County is characterized by hills, plains and seasonal rivers. Major physical features include the Chyullu Hills, Mbooni Hills, and Kilungu and Iuani Hills. The climate is largely arid and semi-arid, with the lower regions receiving 250-400 mm of rainfall per year while the highlands receive 800-900 mm annually. Major rivers in the county include the Athi, Kambu and Kiboko rivers.

Makueni County had an estimated population of 1,002,979 in 2018. The largest ethnic group is the Kamba People. The county is divided into six sub-Counties: Makueni, Mbooni, Kibwezi East, Kibwezi West, Kaiti and Kilome. Agriculture and livestock production are the main economic activities, although the county also has mining and tourism potential. Key development challenges include water scarcity, land degradation, high poverty levels, food insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, and low access to health care and education services.

The county government, led by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior, has prioritized economic empowerment of residents, water resource management, land reforms, socio-economic development and improvement of infrastructure in its 2018-2022 development plan. The government aims to increase household incomes and improve living standards through sustainable growth of productive sectors.

Physical And Topographical Features​

Makueni County has several prominent physical and topographical features. In the southwest border of the county along Kibwezi East and West sub-counties lies the expansive Chyullu Hills volcanic range. The hills reach elevations of over 1,800 meters above sea level.

Centrally located is the Mbooni Hills range in Mbooni sub-county. The verdant hills are known for tea and coffee cultivation. In the northern part of the county, Kaiti sub-county hosts the Kilungu and Iuani forested hills. The cool hills are an important water catchment area.

Other noteworthy features are the Makongo Forest reserve near Wote town, which has scenic hiking trails and cliffs, as well as the Makuli Forest in the southeast part of the county near Makindu. Additionally, the isolated Nzaui Hill near Kilungu town is another local landmark.

The county generally slopes from a higher altitude in the west to lower plains in the east. Several seasonal rivers transect the landscape, most draining east toward the Athi River basin. The permanent rivers in the county include Athi, Kambu and Kiboko.

Climatic conditions​

Makueni County experiences a semi-arid climate with average annual temperatures ranging between 15°C to 26°C.

There are, however, sharp contrasts in rainfall patterns across the county's landscape. The lower lying eastern parts of the county have an average annual rainfall of 250mm to 400mm. These include the semi-arid plains of the Makueni and Nzaui sub-counties which receive the lowest rainfall.

Meanwhile, the western regions at higher altitudes around Mbooni and Kilungu hills receive much higher annual precipitation of 800mm to 900mm per year on average. The rainfall is also highly variable, unreliable and unevenly distributed throughout the year. Most rainfall occurs during the short rains in October-January, with very limited rainfall occurring in the long dry months of January-March.

This semi-arid climate means Makueni County frequently experiences droughts and related shocks like famine. However, the rainfall variability allows for both livestock keeping in drier lowland areas as well as arable agriculture in the wetter highland plateaus. Overall, the prevailing arid conditions limit crop cultivation and create chronic food insecurity challenges for residents.

Demographics​

According to the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census, Makueni County had a total population of 884,527 people, comprising 428,044 males and 456,483 females. The population density was 110 people per Km2.

The largest ethnic community in the county is the Akamba people, who make up over 99% of residents. The Akamba have inhabited Makueni for centuries and dominate the local cultural and political landscape.

Makueni has a relatively young population, with about 60% of residents below the age of 24. People under 35 years make up 73% of the population. Only 3% of residents are over the age of 65. This youthful population creates economic opportunities but also poses social service delivery challenges.

The largest urban center is Wote town with a population of 21,429. Other major towns include Mtito Andei (pop. 9,174), Makindu (pop. 8,458), Kibwezi (pop. 6,231) and Emali (pop. 4,624). Most residents live in small rural settlements and depend on subsistence agriculture.

The average household size in Makueni is 4 people. Female-headed households occupy 35% of homes, which is higher than the national average of 32%. This implies many socioeconomic challenges for families.

Administrative and political units​

Makueni County has 6 administrative sub-counties which coincide with the 6 electoral constituencies:

1. Makueni Sub-County with its headquarters in Wote town. It also contains the county headquarters.
2. Kaiti Sub-County headquartered in Kilungu town.
3. Mbooni Sub-County with its capital as Mbooni town.
4. Kilome Sub-County with Kilome town as the capital.
5. Kibwezi East Sub-County governed from Makindu town.
6. Kibwezi West Sub-County based in Kibwezi town.

Each sub-county is further divided into electoral wards, of which there are 30 countywide. The sub counties are also subdivided into 60 sub-wards which serve as units of representation and decentralized service delivery. At the lowest level, there are 3,612 villages across the county.

Politically, Makueni County has a Governor, Senator, Woman Representative Member of Parliament (MP), 6 MPs representing each constituency, 30 ward representatives, and over 200 elected or nominated leaders at sub-county, ward, and village levels.