{"id":13,"date":"2026-07-02T01:18:44","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T01:18:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/eastern\/makueni\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T07:53:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T07:53:08","slug":"makueni","status":"publish","type":"eastern","link":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/eastern\/makueni\/","title":{"rendered":"Makueni"},"content":{"rendered":"

Makueni County is county 017 of Kenya’s 47, in the former Eastern Province. Wote is the county capital, and Emali, Makindu, Kibwezi and Mtito Andei line the Nairobi–Mombasa corridor. The 2019 census counted 987,653 residents across 8,008.9 km\u00b2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Key facts<\/caption>\n
Fact<\/th>\nValue<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Capital<\/th>\nWote<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
County code<\/th>\n017<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Population (2019 census)<\/th>\n987,653<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Area<\/th>\n8,008.9 km\u00b2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Former province<\/th>\nEastern<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sub-counties<\/th>\n6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
County assembly wards<\/th>\n30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Main languages<\/th>\nKikamba, Kiswahili, English<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Towns and Villages in Makueni County<\/h2>\n

Makueni’s towns are strung along the highway and the railway. The upland centres in Mbooni and Kilome are smaller and mostly serve farm households.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Largest urban centres, 2019 census<\/caption>\n
Town<\/th>\nType<\/th>\nPopulation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Makueni Boma<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n20,681<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wote<\/td>\nTown, county capital<\/td>\n19,725<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Emali<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n18,325<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Makindu<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n15,038<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sultan Hamud<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n8,718<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kibwezi<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n8,143<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mtito Andei<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n5,626<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kikima<\/td>\nMarket town<\/td>\n3,269<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kiboko<\/td>\nMarket town<\/td>\n2,708<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nunguni<\/td>\nMarket town<\/td>\n2,266<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The gazetteer records 246 named settlements in Makueni County, listed A–Z below.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Athi<\/li>\n
  2. Chomboni<\/li>\n
  3. Darajani<\/li>\n
  4. Dwa<\/li>\n
  5. Emali<\/li>\n
  6. Engavu<\/li>\n
  7. Enguli<\/li>\n
  8. Enzai<\/li>\n
  9. Ianzoni<\/li>\n
  10. Ikalyoni<\/li>\n
  11. Ikungu<\/li>\n
  12. Inyokoni<\/li>\n
  13. Itetani<\/li>\n
  14. Ithemboni<\/li>\n
  15. Ititu<\/li>\n
  16. Itumbule<\/li>\n
  17. Iuani<\/li>\n
  18. Iviani Ya Athwani<\/li>\n
  19. Kaasya<\/li>\n
  20. Kakangani<\/li>\n
  21. Kako<\/li>\n
  22. Kakuswi<\/li>\n
  23. Kalamba<\/li>\n
  24. Kalawa<\/li>\n
  25. Kalii<\/li>\n
  26. Kalima<\/li>\n
  27. Kalongo<\/li>\n
  28. Kalulini<\/li>\n
  29. Kambi ya Munyu<\/li>\n
  30. Kambu<\/li>\n
  31. Kambuu<\/li>\n
  32. Kamuthini<\/li>\n
  33. Kandolo<\/li>\n
  34. Kasayani<\/li>\n
  35. Kasikeu<\/li>\n
  36. Kasunguni<\/li>\n
  37. Katangini<\/li>\n
  38. Kathekani<\/li>\n
  39. Kathonzweni<\/li>\n
  40. Katitini<\/li>\n
  41. Kativan<\/li>\n
  42. Katulye<\/li>\n
  43. Kaumoni<\/li>\n
  44. Kaunguni<\/li>\n
  45. Kauti<\/li>\n
  46. Kavata Nzou<\/li>\n
  47. Kavumbu<\/li>\n
  48. Kavuthu<\/li>\n
  49. Kawala<\/li>\n
  50. Kee<\/li>\n
  51. Kenani<\/li>\n
  52. Kevanda<\/li>\n
  53. Kiangini<\/li>\n
  54. Kiatineni<\/li>\n
  55. Kiboko<\/li>\n
  56. Kibwezi<\/li>\n
  57. Kikima<\/li>\n
  58. Kikoko<\/li>\n
  59. Kikumini<\/li>\n
  60. Kilala<\/li>\n
  61. Kilema<\/li>\n
  62. Kilili<\/li>\n
  63. Kilima Kiu<\/li>\n
  64. Kilome<\/li>\n
  65. Kiluluini<\/li>\n
  66. Kilyungi<\/li>\n
  67. Kima<\/li>\n
  68. Kimutwa<\/li>\n
  69. Kimutwa Estate<\/li>\n
  70. Kinyambu<\/li>\n
  71. Kinyeki<\/li>\n
  72. Kiongwani<\/li>\n
  73. Kiou<\/li>\n
  74. Kisingo<\/li>\n
  75. Kitaingo<\/li>\n
  76. Kitandi<\/li>\n
  77. Kiteta<\/li>\n
  78. Kithangathini<\/li>\n
  79. Kitheine<\/li>\n
  80. Kithina<\/li>\n
  81. Kithju<\/li>\n
  82. Kithumani<\/li>\n
  83. Kithumba<\/li>\n
  84. Kithungo<\/li>\n
  85. Kitise<\/li>\n
  86. Kitondo<\/li>\n
  87. Kitonguni<\/li>\n
  88. Kitonyoni<\/li>\n
  89. Kituiuni<\/li>\n
  90. Kitulani<\/li>\n
  91. Kitundu<\/li>\n
  92. Kiu<\/li>\n
  93. Kiuwani<\/li>\n
  94. Kivani<\/li>\n
  95. Kjliku<\/li>\n
  96. Kola<\/li>\n
  97. Kombayoo<\/li>\n
  98. Konza<\/li>\n
  99. Konza Settlement<\/li>\n
  100. Kotoe<\/li>\n
  101. Kwa Kitau<\/li>\n
  102. Kwa Mukonyo<\/li>\n
  103. Kwakavisi<\/li>\n
  104. Kwamakuli<\/li>\n
  105. Kwamutula<\/li>\n
  106. Kwandeke<\/li>\n
  107. Kyakatoni<\/li>\n
  108. Kyambeke<\/li>\n
  109. Kyambusya<\/li>\n
  110. Kyamue<\/li>\n
  111. Kyamunyu<\/li>\n
  112. Kyamuthei<\/li>\n
  113. Kyandui<\/li>\n
  114. Kyanga<\/li>\n
  115. Kyangala<\/li>\n
  116. Kyanginywa<\/li>\n
  117. Kyangondu<\/li>\n
  118. Kyathani<\/li>\n
  119. Kyemundu<\/li>\n
  120. Kyeni Kya Kai<\/li>\n
  121. Kyomboni<\/li>\n
  122. Kyooni<\/li>\n
  123. Kyuasini<\/li>\n
  124. Kyumbe<\/li>\n
  125. Kyuu<\/li>\n
  126. Landhies<\/li>\n
  127. Lungu<\/li>\n
  128. Maiani<\/li>\n
  129. Maikuu<\/li>\n
  130. Makindu<\/li>\n
  131. Makongo<\/li>\n
  132. Makueni Boma<\/li>\n
  133. Makutano<\/li>\n
  134. Malibani<\/li>\n
  135. Malooi<\/li>\n
  136. Mandui<\/li>\n
  137. Mangelete<\/li>\n
  138. Manoni<\/li>\n
  139. Manooni<\/li>\n
  140. Manza<\/li>\n
  141. Mapepie<\/li>\n
  142. Marwa<\/li>\n
  143. Masalani Camp<\/li>\n
  144. Masimbani<\/li>\n
  145. Masokani<\/li>\n
  146. Masongaleni<\/li>\n
  147. Masumba<\/li>\n
  148. Matangi<\/li>\n
  149. Matha<\/li>\n
  150. Mathiani<\/li>\n
  151. Matiani<\/li>\n
  152. Matiliku<\/li>\n
  153. Maumba<\/li>\n
  154. Mavindu<\/li>\n
  155. Mavvye<\/li>\n
  156. Mbavani<\/li>\n
  157. Mbeletu<\/li>\n
  158. Mbiini<\/li>\n
  159. Mbimbini<\/li>\n
  160. Mbitini<\/li>\n
  161. Mbooni<\/li>\n
  162. Mbui Nzau<\/li>\n
  163. Mbumbuni<\/li>\n
  164. Mbuthani<\/li>\n
  165. Miamba Itano<\/li>\n
  166. Miangeni<\/li>\n
  167. Mituvu<\/li>\n
  168. Mtito Andei<\/li>\n
  169. Muaa<\/li>\n
  170. Muaani<\/li>\n
  171. Muangini<\/li>\n
  172. Muiu<\/li>\n
  173. Mukaa<\/li>\n
  174. Mukimwani<\/li>\n
  175. Mukuyuni<\/li>\n
  176. Mulala<\/li>\n
  177. Mulumini<\/li>\n
  178. Mumbuni<\/li>\n
  179. Mumela<\/li>\n
  180. Munathi<\/li>\n
  181. Musaani<\/li>\n
  182. Musalala<\/li>\n
  183. Mutembuku<\/li>\n
  184. Muthingiini<\/li>\n
  185. Muthwani<\/li>\n
  186. Mutiluni<\/li>\n
  187. Mutitu<\/li>\n
  188. Mutulani<\/li>\n
  189. Mutweambo<\/li>\n
  190. Mutyambua<\/li>\n
  191. Muuani<\/li>\n
  192. Mwaani<\/li>\n
  193. Mwanyani<\/li>\n
  194. Mwea<\/li>\n
  195. Mweani<\/li>\n
  196. Ndauni<\/li>\n
  197. Ndolo<\/li>\n
  198. Ndovoini<\/li>\n
  199. Ndoyoini<\/li>\n
  200. Nduluku<\/li>\n
  201. Nduluni<\/li>\n
  202. Ndumbi<\/li>\n
  203. Ndune<\/li>\n
  204. Nduu<\/li>\n
  205. Ngai<\/li>\n
  206. Ngandani<\/li>\n
  207. Ngosini East<\/li>\n
  208. Ngosini West<\/li>\n
  209. Ngoto<\/li>\n
  210. Nguluni<\/li>\n
  211. Nguumo<\/li>\n
  212. Nthia<\/li>\n
  213. Nunguni<\/li>\n
  214. Nzaini<\/li>\n
  215. Nziu<\/li>\n
  216. Nzuuni<\/li>\n
  217. Okia<\/li>\n
  218. Simba<\/li>\n
  219. Songeni<\/li>\n
  220. Sultan Hamud<\/li>\n
  221. Syengoni<\/li>\n
  222. Syumile<\/li>\n
  223. Tawa<\/li>\n
  224. Thange<\/li>\n
  225. Thangi<\/li>\n
  226. Thavu<\/li>\n
  227. Thomeandu<\/li>\n
  228. Thwake<\/li>\n
  229. Tututha<\/li>\n
  230. Twaandu<\/li>\n
  231. Uaani<\/li>\n
  232. Ulu<\/li>\n
  233. Ulu Settlement<\/li>\n
  234. Utaati<\/li>\n
  235. Utangwa<\/li>\n
  236. Utithi<\/li>\n
  237. Utuneni<\/li>\n
  238. Uvaani<\/li>\n
  239. Uvete<\/li>\n
  240. Vulueni<\/li>\n
  241. Wambiti<\/li>\n
  242. Wanzauni<\/li>\n
  243. Wathini<\/li>\n
  244. Wautu<\/li>\n
  245. Wote<\/li>\n
  246. Yandue<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Geography<\/h2>\n

    The county lies between latitudes 1\u00b035\u2032 and 2\u00b059\u2032 south and longitudes 37\u00b010\u2032 and 38\u00b030\u2032 east. Land falls from about 1,900 m on the Mbooni hills to 600 m at Tsavo. The Chyulu Hills run along the south-western edge and hold volcanic caves and lava flows.<\/p>\n

    The Athi River marks the eastern boundary, and the Kaiti, Kiboko and Thwake rivers drain the highlands. Most streams are seasonal, and sand dams are common. Rainfall ranges from 800 mm on the hills to under 400 mm at Kibwezi. Four counties border Makueni: Machakos County<\/a> to the north, Kitui County<\/a> to the east, Taita-Taveta County<\/a> to the south and Kajiado County<\/a> to the west.<\/p>\n

    Demographics<\/h2>\n

    The 2019 census recorded 489,691 men, 497,942 women and 20 intersex persons. Density averages about 123 people per km\u00b2, concentrated in the Mbooni and Kilome highlands and thin across the Kibwezi lowlands.<\/p>\n

    The Kamba form the great majority and Kikamba is the everyday language. Kiswahili and English serve trade and administration, and the highway towns hold mixed populations drawn by transport and horticulture work. Kibwezi sub-county is the most populous, with 197,000 residents.<\/p>\n

    Economy and Local Life<\/h2>\n

    Makueni is Kenya’s best-known mango county. Households grow mangoes, oranges, pawpaw and citrus alongside maize, green grams, cowpeas and pigeon peas. The county runs a fruit processing plant at Kalamba, near Wote, which buys mangoes for juice concentrate and has raised farmgate prices in the season.<\/p>\n

    Irrigated horticulture along the Athi and Kiboko rivers supplies Nairobi with tomatoes, onions and French beans. Livestock, beekeeping, charcoal and sand harvesting are widespread. Sisal estates operate around Kibwezi and Makindu. Market days draw the biggest crowds at Wote, Emali, Kibwezi, Tawa and Nunguni.<\/p>\n

    History<\/h2>\n

    The lowlands along the Athi were sparsely settled until the twentieth century. Kamba families then moved south from Machakos onto the plains and the Mbooni hills. Kibwezi held a Scottish mission station and a company post in the 1890s, on the caravan route between Mombasa and the interior.<\/p>\n

    The area was administered as part of Machakos District until 1992, when Makueni District was created with headquarters at Wote. Makueni County followed under the 2010 constitution, and its first county government took office in 2013.<\/p>\n

    Getting There<\/h2>\n

    The A8 Nairobi–Mombasa highway crosses the county for about 180 km, passing Sultan Hamud, Emali, Makindu, Kibwezi and Mtito Andei. Wote is 25 km off the highway from Emali and about 150 km from Nairobi.<\/p>\n

    The standard gauge railway runs parallel to the A8 with passenger stations at Emali, Kibwezi and Mtito Andei. Buses between Nairobi and Mombasa stop at all the highway towns through the day. Wilson and Jomo Kenyatta airports in Nairobi are the nearest scheduled air links.<\/p>\n

    FAQ<\/h2>\n

    What is the capital of Makueni County?<\/h3>\n

    Wote is the county capital, with 19,725 residents at the 2019 census.<\/p>\n

    How many towns and villages are in Makueni County?<\/h3>\n

    Gazetteer records name 246 settlements, all listed on this page.<\/p>\n

    Which sub-counties make up Makueni County?<\/h3>\n

    Six: Makueni, Mbooni, Kaiti, Kilome, Kibwezi East and Kibwezi West. They hold 30 county assembly wards.<\/p>\n

    What is Makueni County known for?<\/h3>\n

    Mangoes and other fruit. The county fruit processing plant at Kalamba buys from local growers, and mango exports move through Nairobi.<\/p>\n

    How far is Wote from Nairobi?<\/h3>\n

    About 150 km, roughly two and a half hours by road through Salama and Emali.<\/p>\n

    Who is the governor of Makueni County?<\/h3>\n

    The county governor is Mutula Kilonzo Junior, elected in August 2022.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Makueni County is county 017 of Kenya’s 47, in the former Eastern Province. Wote is the county capital, and Emali, Makindu, Kibwezi and Mtito Andei line the Nairobi–Mombasa corridor. The 2019 census counted 987,653 residents across 8,008.9 km\u00b2. Key facts Fact Value Capital Wote County code 017 Population (2019 census) 987,653 Area 8,008.9 km\u00b2 Former […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"Makueni County: Towns, Villages & Population Guide","_seopress_titles_desc":"Makueni County (017), capital Wote: 987,653 people at the 2019 census, 8,008.9 kmu00b2, 6 sub-counties, plus 246 towns and villages listed Au2013Z with key facts.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":""},"class_list":["post-13","eastern","type-eastern","status-publish","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/eastern\/13","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/eastern"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/eastern"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}