Figure 2-3 – Planning Context

Figure 2-3 – Planning Context

Source: Atkins analysis

2.3 State of Wote

2.3.1 Regional Context

Makueni County is a small county in terms of land area, with a total surface area of approximately 8,034 km2. The CIDP (2018) estimated the County’s population to be around 1,002,979 in 2018 with an annual growth rate of 1.3%. The demographic is split between 51% women and 49% men. Agriculture is the predominant economic activity in the county. Around 63% of the land in the county is considered arable, however, only around 6% is used for crops. Despite the small utilisation of land for farming across the County, agriculture accounts for 47% of the total GCP. Livestock rearing, fishing and bee-keeping are also common economic agricultural activities which occur across the County.

The landscape can be split into four distinct zones based on their altitudes and characteristics. This unique landscape profile also configures the County’s drainage pattern in specific ways and has led to the formation of a dense permanent and seasonal river network. The County lies within the arid and semi-arid zone. The southern low-lying grasslands receive little rainfall whereas the higher northern parts of the County receive large amounts. Despite this, and being home to a dense river network, the County is water scarce and suffers from water insecurity, especially during dry seasons.

Urban development in Makueni County is attributed to its natural features and the main transport links. Over time, settlements have sprung up along its main transport arteries. The challenging natural topography of the upland and midland areas of the County have resulted in multiple market centres. In the rural areas, more dispersed settlements are commonplace, which is especially the case in the eastern lowlands where the characteristic low terrain presents limited physical barriers to settlements. These largely follow feeder roads, however, often dwellings and structures are embedded within lots and may not be directly aligned with roads. This poses challenges when implementing linear and reticulated infrastructure services such as electrical cables or water supply.

Two planned projects nearby are expected to be transformative to the Makueni County economy and service provision. The Konza Technology City will be located 60km south of Nairobi, bordering Makueni County. The County is hoping to capitalise on the spill-over effect of the ICT expertise to translate into economic growth opportunities mobilised via ICT capacity development initiatives and automation of County service delivery.

The Thwake Dam Project is another flagship project in the area. Once completed, the dam will offer residents of the Municipality a fresh water supply, as well as enhancing opportunities for local agriculture and the burgeoning agri-processing industry via improved irrigation sources. The dam will also generate hydroelectricity and will include a water treatment plant, which will help to alleviate water shortages and assist the establishment of better provision of electricity and sewage infrastructure in the Municipality.

2.3.2 Municipal Context

The topography of Wote Municipality is in keeping with the County as a whole: largely rural in character, and mostly used for agricultural activities, the backbone of the local economy.

Both linear and nuclear urban development can be identified within the Municipality. Nuclear patterns can be found in the urban centre and linear settlements have formed along the roads into the main urban centre, Wote Town. Significant urban settlements such as Wote Town, Kathonzweni, and Kalamba, have high population densities and high levels of rural-urban migration as those living in rural areas move towards the urban areas for better employment and education opportunities. This has presented issues for the local Municipality governing bodies, as the demand for residing in urban areas has outstripped the provision of local critical infrastructure provision. While there is increasing movement of people from rural-urban areas, agriculture remains the mainstay of land-use in the Municipality, making up 83.93% of total land. The remainder of land for recreational and public use is therefore insignificant in comparison. Overall, there is an inadequate provision of public land in the Municipality, mostly due to encroachment on public land and uncontrolled urban developments. Due to historically weak enforcement of planning guidelines, urban sprawl is increasingly becoming problematic for the Municipality.

There is an overwhelming lack of critical infrastructure and services in the Municipality. A lack of adequate water supply and sewage infrastructure continues to be problematic for residents and businesses, as well as causing contamination of groundwater. Furthermore, unsatisfactory transportation provision hampers productivity and inadequate solid waste management pollutes the environment. The roads connecting the built-up areas are mostly made from bitumen and earth, presenting issues for efficient connections and transportation across the Municipality, especially during heavy rains when the roads can become flooded and damaged. The completion of the Thwake Dam is likely to alleviate infrastructure gaps in the water, sanitation and energy spheres.

Wote Town, the largest urban area in the Municipality acts as the administrative capital of the County, since gaining Municipality status in 2018. There are a number of healthcare and educational facilities in the town, offering training and employment opportunities, including a Level 5 Referral Hospital. It is also home to a burgeoning financial hub, with a number of banks and insurance companies. Despite these tertiary industries, the Town is heavily reliant on the agricultural industry based in the surrounding hinterland as the mainstay of its economy, with a thriving market for trading produce at the centre of the Town.