Kitui County is a county in the former Eastern Province of Kenya. Its capital and largest town is Kitui, although Mwingi is also another major urban centre. The county has a population of 1,136,187 (2019 census). and an area of 30,430 km2.It lies between latitudes 0°10 South and 3°0 South and longitudes 37°50 East and 39°0 East.
Kitui County shares its borders with seven counties; Tharaka-Nithi and Meru to the north, Embu to the northwest, Machakos and Makuenito the west, Tana River to the east and southeast, and Taita-Taveta to the south.
History
The name Kitui means ‘a place where iron goods are made’ The Kamba iron-smiths who settled in the county many years before the colonial period are the ones who named the area Kitui.
Demographics
Kitui county has a total population of 1,136,187 of which 549,003 are males, 587,151 females and33 intersex persons. There are 262,942 household with an average household size of 4.3 persons per household and a population density 37 people per square kilometre
| Sub-County | Total |
|---|---|
| Ikutha | 82,964 |
| Katulan | 47,108 |
| Kisasi | 46,142 |
| Kitui Centra | 105,991 |
| Kitui West. | 70,871 |
| Kyuso | 76,867 |
| Lower Yatta | 63,329 |
| Matinyani | 47,811 |
| Migwani | 79,255 |
| Mumoni. | 29,344 |
| Mutitu | 55,287 |
| Mutitu North. | 21,215 |
| Mutomo | 113,356 |
| Mwingi Central.. | 108,713 |
| Mwingi East | 85,139 |
| Nzambani | 46,788 |
| Thagicu | 15,136 |
| Tseikuru | 40,871 |
| Total | 1,136,187 |
Source
The population is mostly made up of people of the Akamba ethnicity. Tharaka people, a section of the Ameru, are also found in Kitui County mainly in Tharaka ward. There is also a growing Somali presence
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 464,283 | — |
| 1989 | 652,603 | +40.6% |
| 1999 | 819,250 | +25.5% |
| 2009 | 1,012,709 | +23.6% |
| 2019 | 1,136,187 | +12.2% |
| source: |
Administration and Political Units
Administrative Units
There are eight sub counties, forty county assembly wards, one hundred and sixty seven locations and four hundred and eleven sub-locations.
Further, the sub-counties are divided into smaller units called wards. There are 40 wards which are further divided into 247 villages.
Administrative Sub-Counties
- Kitui West Sub-County
- Kitui Central Sub-County.
- Kitui Rural Sub-County.
- Kitui South Sub-County.
- Kitui East Sub-County.
- Mwingi North Sub-County.
- Mwingi West Sub-County.
- Mwingi Central Sub-County
Source[11]
Electoral Constituencies
- Kitui Central Constituency
- Kitui East Constituency
- Kitui Rural Constituency
- Kitui South Constituency
- Kitui West Constituency
- Mwingi Central Constituency
- Mwingi North Constituency
- Mwingi West Constituency
Source
Political Leadership
Charity Kaluki Ngilu is the governor and second to hold office after Julius Malombe and she is deputised by Gideon Nzau Wathe.[14][15]Enoch Kiio Wambua is the senator join office in 2017 after unseating the first senator David Musila. Irene Muthoni Kasalu is the women representative and second holder of this office after Nyiva Mwendwa.
For Kitui County, the County Executive Committee comprises:-
| Number | |
|---|---|
| The Governor | 1 |
| The Deputy Governor | 1 |
| The County Secretary | 1 |
| The CEC Members | 10 |
| Total | 13 |
Source
Members of Parliament 2017-2022 (Kitui County)
- Hon. Mulu, Benson Makali of Wiper Democratic Party Kenya Member of Parliament Kitui Central Constituency
- Hon. Mbai, Nimrod Mbithuka of Jubilee Party Member of Parliament Kitui East Constituency
- Hon. Mboni, David Mwalika of chama cha uma party Member of Parliament Kitui Rural Constituency
- Hon. Nyamai, Rachael Kaki of Jubilee Party Member of Parliament Kitui South Constituency
- Hon. Nyenze, Edith of Wiper Democratic Party Kenya Member of Parliament Kitui West Constituency
- Hon. Mulyungi, Gideon Mutemi of Wiper Democratic Party Kenya Member of Parliament Mwingi Central Constituency
- Hon. Nzengu, Paul Musyimi of Wiper Democratic Party of Kenya Member of Parliament Mwingi North Constituency
- Hon. Nguna, Charles Ngusya of Wiper Democratic Party of Kenya Member of Parliament Mwingi West Constituency
Education
There are 1826 ECD centres 1476 primary schools and 384 secondary schools. The county has also 5 teachers training colleges, 311 adult training institutions and 1 technical training institutions.
| Category | Public | Private | Total | Enrolment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECD Centres | 1518 | 308 | 1826 | 90,731 |
| Primary schools | 1318 | 158 | 1476 | 346,022 |
| Secondary schools | 374 | 10 | 384 | 73,385 |
| Teachers Training Colleges | 3 | 2 | 5 | |
| Technical Training Institutes | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Universities | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| University Campuses | 5 | 0 | 5 | |
| Adult Education Centres | 311 | 0 | 311 | 12,438 |
Source
List of Secondary Schools in Kitui County – Not Ranked
1. Kitui High – Boys Boarding – 13302101
2. St Charles Lwanga School – Boys Boarding – 13302102
3. St. Angela’s Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 13302103
4. Tiva Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13302104
5. Kyangithya Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 13302105
6. St Ursula Girls’ Secondary School-Tungutu – Girls Boarding – 13302107
7. Mulutu Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 13302108
8. Ivaini Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13302109
9. Kwa Ukungu Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13302110
10. St Marys Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13302111
11. Engineer Ngilu Mixed Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13302114
12. Mutukya Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13302115
13. St. Paul’s Kasyala Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13302116
14. St Patricks Secondary School – Mutune – Mixed Boarding – 13302117
15. Mutendea Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13302118
16. Kyamathyaka Mixed Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13302119
17. Kabaa Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13302120
18. Kamandio Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13302121
19. Muslim Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13302122
20. Mwingi Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 13310102
21. Yambuyu Girls – Girls Boarding – 13310103
22. Kaela Mixed Secondary School – Mixed Day & Boarding – 13310104
23. Syungii Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13310105
24. Itendu Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13310106
25. Kyethani Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13310107
26. Waita Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13310201
27. Enziu Secondary School – Mixed Day & Boarding – 13310202
28. Karunga Secondary School – Mixed Day & Boarding – 13310203
29. ABC Muunguu Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13310204
30. Kyulungwa Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13310205
31. Mutwangombe Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13310206
32. Kiio Secondary School – Mixed Day & Boarding – 13310301
33. Precious Blood Secondary-Tyaa – Mixed Day – 13310303
34. Kiomo Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13310304
35. Mbondoni Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13310305
36. ABC Kisovo Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13310401
37. A.I.C Katalwa Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13310402
38. Mumbuni Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13310403
39. Mutomo Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 13317101
40. Ikanga Noys Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 13317102
41. Kyatune Secondary School – Girls Day & Boarding – 13317103
42. Mutomo Mixed Secondary School – Mixed Day & Boarding – 13317104
43. Ikanga Girls’ Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 13317105
44. St. Patricks Mixed Secondary School – Mixed Day & Boarding – 13317107
45. Enzou Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13317108
46. Nduundune Secondary School – Mixed Day & Boarding – 13317109
47. Kisayani Secondary School – Mixed Day & Boarding – 13317110
48. Kitoo Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13317111
49. Kyatune Boys’ High School – Boys Boarding – 13317112
50. Kawelu Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13317113
51. Voo Secondary School – Mixed Day & Boarding – 13317302
52. Mutha Secondary School – Mixed Day & Boarding – 13317303
53. Mathima Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13317304
54. Kyuso Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 13328101
55. Kimangao Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 13328102
56. Kalonzo Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13328103
57. Kimangao Boys Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 13328104
58. Gai Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13328105
59. Kyuso Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 13328106
60. Matooni Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13328107
61. Kandwia Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13328201
62. Kamuwongo Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13328202
63. Mivukoni Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13328301
64. Twimyua Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13328303
65. Ngomeni Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13328401
66. Ndatani Secondary School – Girls Day – 13328402
67. Mutonguni Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13331201
68. Kakeani Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13331203
69. Katheka Boys’ Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 13331204
70. Kyondoni Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 13331205
71. Musengo Secondary – Mixed Boarding – 13331206
72. Ilako Mututa Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13331207
73. Mutini Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13331208
74. Kasue Secondary – Mixed Day & Boarding – 13331209
75. Muthamo Secondary School – Mixed Day & Boarding – 13331210
76. Katutu Girls’ Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 13331211
77. Kauwi Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13331212
78. Muthale Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13331213
79. Mutito Boys Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 13332101
80. A.I.C Sombe Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 13332102
81. Mutiti Girls’ Secondary – Girls Boarding – 13332103
82. Kwa Tundu Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13332104
83. Kavaani Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13332105
84. Kaliku Mixed Secondary School – Mixed Day & Boarding – 13332106
85. Endau Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13332201
86. Mwitika Mixed Secondary School – Mixed Day – 13332202
87. Kyamatu Mixed Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13332203
88. Malalani Mixed Secondary – Mixed Day – 13332204
89. Mui Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 13338101
90. Kalitini Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 13338102
91. Kyamwenze Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 13338103
92. Nguni Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 13338201
93. Ukasi Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 13338202
94. Masavi Girls’ Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 13338203
Health
There are a total of 256 health facilities in the county with one county referral hospital. County has 2,084 health personnel of different cadre.
HIV prevalence is at 4.2% below the national 5.9%.[41]
| Government | *FBO | Private | NGO | TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitals | 11 | 2 | 1 | 14 | |
| Health centres | 38 | 2 | 40 | ||
| Dispensaries | 183 | 10 | 18 | 201 | |
| Clinics | 3 | 1 |
Source[37]
Major towns
Major towns in the county include Kitui, Mwingi, Mutomo, Kwa Vonza, Mutitu, Ikutha, Kabati, Migwani, Mutonguni, Mbitini and Kyuso.
Climate
Dry river bed in Kitui County.
The climate is semi-arid; it receives roughly 71 cm (28 inches). A significant point however is that rainfall occurs practically only during the rainy seasons (one long around March & April, and one short, around October,November and December). The terms Long and Short Rains has nothing to do with amount of rainfall received but rather on the length of the rainy seasons.[6]
Urbanisation
| 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
Education
There are 1826 ECD centres 1476 primary schools and 384 secondary schools. The county has also 5 teachers training colleges, 311 adult training institutions and 1 technical training institutions.[37]
| Category | Public | Private | Total | Enrolment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECD Centres | 1518 | 308 | 1826 | 90,731 |
| Primary schools | 1318 | 158 | 1476 | 346,022 |
| Secondary schools | 374 | 10 | 384 | 73,385 |
| Teachers Training Colleges | 3 | 2 | 5 | |
| Technical Training Institutes | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Universities | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| University Campuses | 5 | 0 | 5 | |
| Adult Education Centres | 311 | 0 | 311 | 12,438 |
Source
Kitui School and Muthale Girls are the only national schools in Kitui County. Other major secondary schools are St. Charles Lwanga Secondary School, Kyuso Boys Sec, St. Joseph’s Seminary at Mwingi, St, Benedict Ikutha Boys’ high school, Kisasi Boys’ Secondary School, Matinyani Boys’ Secondary, Mutonguni Secondary School, St. Luke’s Yatta Boys’ Secondary School,Katheka boys high school (St Aquinas) Mutito Boys’ Secondary School and Mwingi Boys’ Secondary School. Major girls’ schools include Mulango Girls’ High School, St. Angela’s High School,Mbitini Girls’ Secondary School, Chuluni Girls’ Secondary School, Mutito Girls’ Secondary School and Mutomo Girls’ Secondary School. Other notable secondary schools are St.Ursula Girls-Tungutu, St. Aquinas Kyangwithya Boys, Nzambani Boys, Maliku Girls, Thitani Girls, Zombe Girls, Migwani Boys, Katheka Boys, Kabaa secondary school and St. Lawrence Kaluva Secondary School
Kathungi Secondary School, which is also found in Kitui County, is famous for its football championship in the country. Kathungi were the 2013 national silver medalists. Alongside the national champions Upper Hill, they represented Kenya in East Africa Secondary School games held in Lira, Uganda.[42]
South Eastern Kenya University is a public university located in Kitui with the Main Campus at Kwa Vonza and other campuses at Mwingi and Kitui towns. Kenyatta University has a campus at Kwa Vonza while Moi University has a campus at Kyuso in Mwingi North sub-county.[12] University of Nairobi also has a campus in Kitui town. Kenya Medical Training College has campuses in Kitui and Mwingi.[12]
Statistics
| County | Statistics for the County (Percent) |
|---|---|
| Literacy | 74.7 |
| Attending School (15-18 Yrs) | 77.8 |
| Paved Roads | 2.4 |
| Good Roads | 39.9 |
| Electricity Access | 4.8 |
| Statistics for the County |
Source: USAid Kenya
Health
There are a total of 256 health facilities in the county with one county referral hospital. County has 2,084 health personnel of different cadre.
HIV prevalence is at 4.2% below the national 5.9%.
| Government | *FBO | Private | NGO | TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitals | 11 | 2 | 1 | 14 | |
| Health centres | 38 | 2 | 40 | ||
| Dispensaries | 183 | 10 | 18 | 201 | |
| Clinics | 3 | 1 |
Source
Kitui County has several hospitals and health centres to meet the health needs of residents, among them Kitui County Referral Hospital, Mwingi Sub-County General Hospital, Kitui Nursing Home, Neema Hospital, Jordan Hospital, mission-run hospitals such as Muthale Mission hospital and some private health centres.[6]
Economy
The vast majority of the economy is based on sustenance farming, despite the fact that the agriculture is an extremely challenging endeavor giving the sporadic rainfall. A logical move therefore would be a transition to non-agricultural industries
During a recent, informal survey of the businesses in the town of Ikutha in southern Kitui County, the following businesses were identified:
- Butcheries
- Food Staples (rice, corn meal)
- Mini-markets (sells things like Coca-Cola, potato chips, bread, long-shelf milk)
- Mechanics
- Pubs
- Hotels and restaurants
Industries
Situated in Kitui town is a cotton ginnery where cotton farmers from around the county can deliver their harvest. It is the only major industry in the region, and was set up way back in 1935. Kitui is a semi-arid region and not many crops fare well there apart from cotton, hence the ginnery plays a major role creating income for the many cotton farmers in the region.[45]
Minerals
Kitui county has large deposits of coal in Mui Basin, having low energy content/calorific value, meaning it produces less heat when burned. It also has sulphur. The coal could potentially supply the 1,000 MW Lamu Coal Power Station, and the 960-megawatt (MW) Kitui coal plant.
Mutomo/Ikutha district contains limestone.
Wealth/Poverty Level
| 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
Tourism
- Tsavo East National Park
- South Kitui National Reserve
- Mwingi National Reserve
- Ikoo Valley
- Ngomeni Rock Catchment.
Nzambani Rock
Nzambani Rock is one of the tourist attractions in Kitui County
Also in Kitui county is one of the largest Rock outcrops in Kenya which is locally known as “Ivia ya Nzambani”. Situated past Kitui Town, about 1 km from Chuluni Market is the Nzambani Rock which is famous for the tales and myths of its origin. Activities here include hiking and rock climbing.[48]
Religion and traditional culture
Christianity is the dominant religion in Kitui County. Roman Catholics make about 15% of the county’s population. Other Christian denominations in the county include The Africa Brotherhood Church (ABC), the African Inland Church (AIC), Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), Independent Presbyterian Church (IPC), Redeemed Gospel Church and many others. Kitui county has a significant number of Muslims and several mosques can be spotted around the county’s major urban centres. Few people in the county still hold on to traditional beliefs. They believe in a god called Mulungu or Ngai – the creator of everything on Earth.
Notable people
Dr. Willy Munyoki Mutunga, the former Chief Justice, hails from Kitui County
- Willy Mutunga, Former Chief Justice of Kenya
- Kalonzo Musyoka, 10th Vice-President of Kenya
- Julius Malombe, The first Governor of Kitui County
- Makau W. Mutua, Former dean of the University of Buffalo Law School
- Charity Ngilu, Former MP Kitui Central (The current Governor of Kitui County)
- David Musila, Former Member of Parliament of Kitui West Constituency
- Nzamba Kitonga, Former president of the East Africa Law Society and COMESA Court of Justice
- Kiema Kilonzo, Kenyan ambassador to Turkey
- Eric Mutua, Former chairman of the Law Society of Kenya and Treasurer of the East Africa Law Society
- Onesmus Kimweli Mutungi, Former Chancellor of Kenyatta University and the first Kenyan to get Doctor of Law degree
- Eddie Mwendwa Mutua, First Ever Kamba University of Nairobi Students Union President in 2020
- Ngala Mwendwa, Former Minister of Labour in the first Kenyan post-independence cabinet
- Nyiva Mwendwa, The first Kitui County Woman Representative and first Kenyan woman to serve as a cabinet minister
- Kitili Maluki Mwendwa, First black Chief Justice of Kenya
- Benson Masya, Kenyan long distance runner and marathon serial winner and the winner of the inaugural IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in 1992
- Benjamin Nzimbi, Retired Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of Kenya
- Musili Wambua, Associate Dean of the University of Nairobi School of Law and the first Chancellor of University of Embu
- John Nzau Mwangangi, Kenyan long distance runner and the gold medalist at the 2011 [[African Cross Country Championships
