Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads, Airports, Climate & National Monuments in Makueni County
Geography of Makueni County
Makueni County lies within the arid and semi arid zones in the southeastern part of the country. The major physical features in Makueni County include; the epic volcanic Chyulu Hills along the southwest boundary in Kibwezi West, Mbooni Hills in Mbooni and Kilungu Hills in Kaiti. Makueni County’s terrain is generally low-lying, from 600 ms near Tsavo at the southern end of the county. Makueni has three permanent rivers: Athi, Kambu and Kiboko. Secondary seasonal rivers include: Thwake, Tawa, Kiboko, Makindu, Muooni, Kaiti, Usi Unene, Kasikeu, Kiangini, Kambu, Mtito Andei/Mangelete, Kibwezi and Thange. Most of these rivers and springs have been fast receding owing to environmental degradation.
Land Use in Makueni County
Makueni is within the ASAL areas with limited unreliable rainfall, relatively elevated temperatures and high levels of evaporation. As a result, vegetation is generally withered though soils are reported to be fertile. Generally speaking, most parts of Makueni County lie within a water scarce zone with very limited water resources. Kaiti, Thwake, Thange, Umani, Muoni, Tawa, Kiboko and Kiangini contain rivers with very low flows that traverse the area with mainly seasonal tributaries. Suitable sites for earth dams are few and far apart with inadequate catchments, while groundwater potential is generally poor in most locations due to poor recharge except for low lying areas and river flood plains.
Highlights in Makueni County
Tsavo West National Park which lies in the southern part of the Makueni in Kibwezi West, considered as one of the world’s biodiversity strongholds, is the most outstanding area in Makueni. It is home to diverse wildlife species which include the iconic big-five. Tsavo East Park also has a great diversity of bird life.
Population in Makueni County
In 2012 the projected population in Makueni County was 922,183 consisting of 449,036 males and 473,147 females. The annual population growth rate stands at 1.4%. Makueni County is generally sparsely populated with a density of 296 / km2. Mtito Andei holds the highest population in Makueni County attributed to the fact that the town is a major transit centre for long distance tracks and for buses plying Mombasa-Nairobi Highway and is also a gateway into Tsavo West.
Airports in Machakos County
Makueni County has one airstrip situated at Makindu and it is operational.
Roads in Makueni County
Makueni County has a total road network of 3,203 kms of which 453 kms is bitumen, 555 kms gravel, and 2,198 kms earth surface roads. The main roads in Makueni County are Katumani-Wote-Makindu Road, Masii-Mbumbuni Road, Salama-Kikoko Road and Nairobi-Mombasa Road; all in fairly good condition.
Climate in Makueni County
Climate around Makueni County varies based on altitude. The area to the north around the Kilungu and Mbooni Hills are relatively cooler, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 24 degrees C, while the low-lying areas such as Kitise and Kibwezi are usually hot. During the dry periods, between May and October, the lower parts of the Makeuni County experience severe heat. The annual rainfall in Makueni County ranges from about 411 mm at Tsavo to 1,314 mm at Kitondo.
National Monuments in Makueni County
There are no designated national monuments in Makueni County
outlook
Flanked by the A109 Nairobi-Mombasa Road on its eastern flank, Makueni County is part of the Lower Eastern Kenya region. Major towns like Mtito Andei and Emali serve as trade hubs along the A109, the former being the traditional halfway stop and rest. Other towns enroute are; Sultan Hamud and Kibwezi. Home to Akamba people, it is so commonly referred to Ukambani – alongside Kitui and Machakos.
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Explore Destinations in Makueni County
A Guide to Makueni County
A Summa Digest of Makueni
About Makueni Way Back When
50 Destinations in Makueni County, arranged as one would visit these - north, east, west then south - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Mbooni Hills, Konza Technopolis, Kilima Kiu Manor, Mulima Dam, ACK Resort Salama, Makongo View Point, Katithini, Wote Green Public Park, Thwake Dam, R. Kaiti Bridge, Kampi ya Mawe, Kusyombunguo Hotel, Nzueni Hill, Nzaui Heritage Trail, Nzaui Rock, Mii Project, Makueni Cultural Center, AIC Kalamba, Kalamba Fruit Factory, Virgin Mary Rock, Emali Hills, Emali Trig, Ka Kindui Falls, Dare Devil's Rock, Kyanzizi Falls, Ilovoto Falls, Kyale Catholic Church, The Kenze Gorges, Kilungu Hills, Hunter's Lodge, Makindu Handicrafts, Makindu Sikh Temple, Mbiu Nzau Hills, Kambua Resort, Kivungoni Springs, Kibwezi Forest, Umani Springs, Chyulu Hills National Park, Kisula Caves, Tsavo West National Park, Tsavo East National Park, Yatta Plateau, Ngai Ndethya National Reserve, Kilalinda Conservancy, Tsavo Safari Camp, P. Cameron Camp, Patterson's Safari Camp
Know More About Makueni County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with the aid of strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Makueni County’s terrain is generally low-lying, falling to 600 ms near Tsavo at the southern region. That is to also say, land rises from low-lying terrain of about 600 meters above sea level in the southern Tsavo area to higher elevations in the hills. Prominent ranges include the volcanic Chyulu Hills in the south-west, Mbooni Hills and Kilungu Hills.
Climate about Makueni varies based on altitude – with the north being cooler – 20oC to 24oC, while the south, more so during the dryer months, between May and October, experience generous heat.
