Makueni County is one of the 47 counties in the Republic of Kenya established under the new Constitution of Kenya that was promulgated on 27 August 2010. It is located in the lower eastern part of the country between latitude 1°35′S and longitude 37°10′ and 38°30′E.
According to the 2009 Census, the county has a population of 884,527 people and covers an area of approximately 7,965.8 km2.
In terms of political representation, Makueni County has five members of Parliament representing the five constituencies as follows:
The County has 69 elective wards. The next electoral term (2012) will mark significant changes in the political set up of the County. To begin with, administrative duties will be undertaken by an elected Governor, while the County will be represented in the Senate by an elected Senator. In addition, a County Assembly will be established and Ward representatives elected to sit in the assembly. This Assembly will replace the County Council which has its seat in the town of Wote.
Makueni County has a highlands zone characterised by coffee farming and large lowland zones characterised by maize and fruit agriculture. The County suffers prolonged droughts from time to time. Water management has been identified as the major opportunity for investment, according to the Makueni Investment Forum held by the County Council in March 2010.