Machakos County

Not to be confused with Machakos.
Machakos County
County

Road in Machakos County showing the landscape

Flag
Coat of arms
Nickname(s): Macha
Motto: "the Place to be"

Location in Kenya
Coordinates: 01°14′S 37°23′E / 1.233°S 37.383°E / -1.233; 37.383
Country  Kenya
Formed March 4th 2013
Capital Machakos
Government
 • Governor Alfred Mutua
 • Deputy Governor Bernard Kiala
 • Senator Johnstone Muthama
 • Women Representative Dr. Susan M. Musyoka
Area
 • Total 5,952.9 km2 (2,298.4 sq mi)
Elevation 1,138 m (3,734 ft)
Population (2009)
 • Total 1,098,584 [1]
Time zone EAT (UTC+3)
Website machakosgovernment.com

Machakos County is a county of Kenya. Its capital is Machakos. Its largest town is Machakos, the country's first administrative headquarters. The county has a population of 1,098,584.[1] The county borders Nairobi and Kiambu counties to the West, Embu to the North, Kitui to the East, Makueni to the South, Kajiado to the South West, and Muranga and Kirinyaga to the North West.

Demographics

Local people are mostly of the Akamba ethnicity, although the presence of other communities is highly felt in this county mainly due to the welcoming and accommodating traits of the Akamba people [2]

Education

There are very many Primary Schools in Machakos County such as Machakos Primary School, Machakos Academy, etc.

Machakos County has giant secondary schools such as Machakos School (Boys), Machakos Girls' School, Mumbuni Boys' Secondary school, Mumbuni Girls' Secondary School, Masii Boys' Secondary School, Tala Girls' School, Matungulu Girls' High School and Kabaa High School (Boys), which boasts of a castle which was left behind by christian Missionaries. This castle is now a museum.

Kwa Nthanze Secondary School, which is also found in Machakos County, is famous for its football championship in the country.

Universities and colleges within Machakos County include Machakos University, Scott Theological University, South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU), St. Paul's University, African Training Center for Research and Technology, Century Park College, Machakos Institute of Technology, Machakos Technical Training Institute for the blind.

Climate

The local climate is semi arid with hilly terrain with an altitude of 1000 to 2100 metres above sea level.. Tourist related activities such as camping, hiking safaris, ecotourism and cultural tourism, dance and music festivals among many more are more excitingly done due to the hilly terrain. The hospitality industry in the region is decent.[2]

Economy

Subsistence agriculture is mostly practiced with maize and drought-resistant crops such as sorghum and millet being grown due to the areas semi-arid state. However, the County also plays host to the open air market concept with major market days where large amounts of produce are traded. Fruits, vegetables and other food stuffs like maize and beans are sold in these markets.[2]

Future

The county is banking on projects such as the Konza Technology City, a new Machakos City and its proximity to Nairobi County to boost output in the economy.

Services

Stats for Machakos County
County
Stats for the County (Percent)
Literacy
88
Attending School (15-18 Yrs)
75.9
Paved Roads
6.9
Good Roads
26.9
Electricity Access
17

Stats for the County

Source: USAid Kenya

Subdivisions

Local authorities (councils)
Authority Type Population* Urban pop.*
Machakos Municipality 144,109 28,891
Mavoko (Athi River) Municipality 48,260 22,167
Kangundo Town 187,389 9,122
Matuu Town 44,922 5,321
Masaku County 481,964 9,088
* 1999 census. Source:[3]
Administrative divisions
Division Population* Urban pop.* Headquarters
Kalama 41,000 0
Kangundo 91,238 3,786 Kangundo
Kathiani 95,096 2,929 Mitaboni
Machakos Central 143274 26,438 Machakos
Masinga 74,478 654 Masinga
Matungulu 99,731 4,734 Tala
Mavoko 48,936 19,177 Athi River
Mwala 89,211 2,708
Ndithini 32,358 0
Yathui 65,567 481 Wamunyu
Yatta 125,755 4913 Matuu
* 1999 census. Sources:,,[4][5]

The county has eight constituencies:

Nairobi Metro

Machakos County (yellow) within Nairobi Metro (green)

Machakos County is within Greater Nairobi which consists of 4 out of 47 counties in Kenya but the area generates about 60% of the nations wealth.[6][7] The counties are:

Area County Area (km2) Population
Census 2009 		Cities/Towns/Municipalities in the Counties
Core Nairobi Nairobi County 694.93,138,369 Nairobi
Northern Metro Kiambu County 2,449.21,623,282 Kiambu, Thika, Limuru, Ruiru, Karuri, Kikuyu
Southern Metro Kajiado County 21,292.7687,312 Kajiado, Olkejuado, Bissil, Ngong, Kitengela, Kiserian, Ongata Rongai
Eastern Metro Machakos County 5,952.91,098,584 Kangundo-Tala, Machakos, Athi River
Totals Nairobi Metro 30,389.76,547,547

Source: NairobiMetro/ Kenya Census

Statistics

Nairobi Metro

Urbanisation

Urbanisation in Nairobi Metro
County
Urbanisation in Nairobi Metro (Percent)
Nairobi County
100
Kiambu County
60.8
Machakos County
52
Kajiado County
41.4
 Kenya Average
32.3

Urbanisation by County within Nairobi Metro

Source: OpenDataKenya

Wealth/Poverty Level

Wealth/Poverty Level in Nairobi Metro
County
Poverty Level in Nairobi Metro (Percent)
Kajiado County
11.6
Kiambu County
21.8
Nairobi County
22
Machakos County
59.6
 Kenya Average
45.9

Poverty level by County

Source: OpenDataKenya Worldbank

South Eastern Kenya Region

Urbanisation

Urbanisation in South Eastern Kenya
County
Urbanisation in South Eastern Kenya (Percent)
Machakos County
52
Kitui County
13.8
Makueni County
11.8
 Kenya Average
32.3

Urbanisation by County in South Eastern Kenya

Source: OpenDataKenya

Wealth/Poverty Level

Wealth/Poverty Level in South Eastern Kenya
County
Poverty Level in South Eastern Kenya (Percent)
Machakos County
59.6
Kitui County
63.1
Makueni County
64.1
 Kenya Average
45.9

Poverty level by County

Source: OpenDataKenya Worldbank

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Kenya Census 2009". Scribd.com. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  2. 1 2 3 "Official Website". Machakos Government. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  3. ↑
  4. ↑ Archived 16 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ↑ Archived 28 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑
  7. ↑

Coordinates: 1°30′S 37°15′E / 1.500°S 37.250°E / -1.500; 37.250

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