EXPERIENCE MAKUENI

Introduction

AtthelowereasternregionofKenya lies Makueni County (county No 17) It has a population of 987,000andsheboardersMachakos tothenorth,kituitotheeast,Kajiado to the west and Taita Taveta to the south.The county is served by good road networks including; the Machakos- Wote highway, NairobiMombasa Highway, and 3 modern SGR stations which are Emali, KibweziandMtitoAndei. Makueniisnamedafterhugepython snakes'makuua';thatexistedatahill around Wote town, before the colonial rule. The snakes were believedtokillandswallowhumans as they went up the hill in search of firewood During the colonialism visitors and investors to venture into the county's hidden gem. We therefore welcome all local, regional and international tourists to experience what the county has tooffer TheTourismunitislooking for viable collaborations with stakeholders for sustainable tourism development and promotion.

The Culture of Makueni Residents 'Kithio kya MuukambawaMakueni'

The Akamba community is organized into 22 clans; Aombe, Atangwa,,Ethanga, Atwii, Aambua,Aamuti,Amutei,Aanzia, Ekuua, Akanga, Aini, Amwei, Euani, Mulea Itema, A m u u n d a , Akitutu,Anzauni,Aki mii,Aumoni,Angwin a , A m i w ' a a n d Akitindo

Mulala..Thecentrehousesacollection of ancient Akamba artefacts and structures(kiinga,kisukuu). Indulge in local delicacies of isyo (which is a mixtureofmaizeandbeans),muthokoi (pounded maize and beans), usuu wa ikii,ngimayamwee;nottoexemptthe kamba local brew 'Kaluvu' commonly referedtoaskaluvu.Theplaceoffersa good environment for research, campingandexploration.

Marvel at the Pottery, wood carving, and basketry works of the local artisans, by visiting handcraft Centres across the County Get yourself a souvenir before exiting this great county era, the area was administered by a Britishruler,whosetanofficeatthe hillsoastomonitorthemovementof the locals. The snakes had taken a greattollonhissubordinatesasthey wereattackedondifferentoccasions. Hethereforesummonedaprominent area witch doctor to perform rituals and he was also not spared. Scared, he pointed down the hill and all he could say was the word 'Wote.' He meantallpeopleshouldgodownthe hill,hencethecountyheadquarters,

The Department of Trade and Tourismisamongthe11departments in the County Government of Makueni. Tourism in the County is characterized by the presence of unique natural landscapes, national parks, supporting infrastructure and good governance, that encourage

M u u k a m b a i s believedtohavebeen c r e a t e d b y Mulungu(God), the creater of the universe The first kamba man and woman were placed ontheslopesofNzaui hill, at the Mulatya legendary rock and Yi unyaai footprints. The two sites have consistently reminded theAkambaoftheirorigin.Thehill isnamedafteraKambaword'Nzau' meaningabull.Itisidealforhiking, picnicandcamping.

Residents around this area have overtime embraced the Kamba Culture, religion and traditional dances (Kilumi and Mbalya). On the southern region of the hill, lies one of the privately owned cultural centre; T h e A k a m b a Cultural Centre and Museum at

The County has previously hosted the Makueni Cultural Festival and Makueni food festival to promote and enhancetheKambaculture.Beonthe lookout for cultural events happening within the county from time to time and enrich yourself with more knowledgeontheKambaculture.

Religion

Kambatraditionalreligionisbasedon a high god called Ngai and various ancestral spirits. They worshipped in Shrines where, they offered sacrifices to Mulungu (who lives in the skyItuni). The County hosts various shrines where sacrifices were offered. These shrines have remained sacred Different shrines were used for differentsacrificesandwererackedas perthekindofsacrificesdone.

AKamba also referred to God as Ngai Mumbi(the creator) or Ngai Mwatuangi (God the finger-divinder). TheKambabelievethatwhenonedies heorshesimplymovestotheworldof spirits called Aimu Naming of children were based on seasons (Munyao-dry season),timingsofthe day(Nduku-night)andancestorsasa way of honoring and remembering them Traditionally, Kamba clans werenotallowedtointer-marry.

The arrival of missionaries in the County and their zeal to spread Christianity, led to the construction of religious and historical sites. KalambahistoricalCentre,hoststhe first African Inland Missionary Church by Peter Cameron Scott in the year 1895 The church foundationliesonawelllaidrock,a fulfilment of Mathew 16:18. A missionary bell still hangs at the church compound. The missionary later died of black water fever and church meetings.These bells were made of heavy metals and have remained in use by the present churches. The bells were named after the disciples of Jesus; Peter, PaulandJacques(James).

P.C.E.A church in Kibwezi hosts theburialsiteformissionarieswho died in this area as they spread the gospel. A plaque and wall were erected (picture showing the year 1991) to commemorate their devotionandgreatsacrifice.

Naturalattractions

Makueni is endowed with magnificent landscapes, wildlife andforests.ThemeanderingWoteMachakos road, cuts across the Makongo valley forming a serpentine path that has a t t r a c t e d v a r i o u s s p o r t i n g activities over and in 1 he was accepted. The frog spoke to the woman of that particular house and requested her and her family, to leave into a nearby hill. A heavy rain followed that submerged the entire village,its inhabitants and fresh water springs emerged, forming a dam to date- The dam has been a reliable natural water source to the present date neighboring community for both domestic and commercial purposes. Kwa Kyai Irrigation was buried along his successorT.H. Allan at the centre. To promote and maintainthehistoryofthecentre,the County Government of Makueni, constructedamausoleum,Museum, library and a theatre house. The centreisidealforpilgrimtourists.

Scheme is one of the core beneficiaries.

Kwa Musalava Mission Monument inMbitini,markstheinceptionofthe catholic churches in the County. Missionaries initially settled in this placebutduetomalariaandhostility fromthecommunity,theymovedto kilungu area St Peter and Paul Catholic Church, in the present day preciousblood,kilungu,wasthefirst catholic Mission Church to be built year 1920) St Joseph's Catholic Church,KyaleandMbitiniCatholic Mission Church were also established. The missionaries rung bells to communicate with the local residents on timings for service and he years M a k o n g o valley and foreststretches to Makuli and Nzaui hills to the east; and Mboonihillstothewest.Makongo View Point, lies at the heart of makongo valley, serving as a perfect stop over for refreshments and scrumptious meals by visitors alongtheroute.Thisarea,presents investment opportunity in zip lining, cable cars, restaurants and fishponds.

UmaniSpringsisafreshwaterspring nestled within the stunning Kibwezi Forest,renownedforitsdiverserange of birds, butterflies and other wild inhabitants The spring provides sufficient water supply for a number of wildlife species in the forest and the kibwezi community. Next to the springistheluxuriousUmaniLodge, a self-catering bandas that offers the epitome of African comfort. In your stayhere,youwillinteractwithbaby elephantsrescuedfromthepoachers' hands and sheltered by David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Fund. Don't forget to capture the best photos to keepmemoriesofyourmomentswith thejumbos.

ChyuluHillsNationalPark,famously knownasthe'greenhillsofAfrica'isa complex of hills displaying breath taking views formed due to volcanic activities.Theundulatingriseandfall ofthehillscreateascenicviewofthis unrivalled destination The park stretches to Amboseli National park to the North an Tsavo West National Park to the south. The water tower park consists of exotic aromatic plants,rollinggrasslandsandforests. Satellite is the highest point of the Chyulu hills.The place was used for monitoringthemovementofAfricans by the colonial rule during colonialism. In terms of game drive, you get to see all kind of wildlife. Kisyuka caves are known to be the longest lava tubes in Africa and second longest in the world. The Leviathancavesarebelievedtohave been in existence for over 400years ago. The caves consist of 13 lava tubes,conjoiningtogether However, most of these tubes remain unexplored despite the myths surrounding the caves on hidden treasures buried during the first world war. One of these tubes stretches,11kms to Mbui-nzau area in Makueni county Gamelion water point, lies at the serene clouded Chyulu forests. Geologists have it that, a drop of water from this point takes25yearstoMzimaspring.This isthereforebelievedtobethesource of Mzima springs in Tsavo west National Park. Satisfy your spirit of adventure through hiking, camping, birdwatchingandgameviewing.

TsavoWest national park -famously known as the land of lava, springs, maneaters and magical sunsets, is located in the southern part of the county Accessibility within the county is via mtito andei gate. Its mosaic of volcanic hills and rocks, open grassland, scrublands and acacia woodlands supports a quiet incredible profusion and variety of wildlife. It plays a critical role that builds up the history of the colonial era involving construction of the Kenya Uganda railway, man eaters of Tsavo, Maktau Indian Cemetery, Salaita hill, sniper tree, Poachers lookout, crater fort (world war 1 site),Tsavoriverworldwar1bridge, Rolling rock site. The park has excellent wildlife viewing throughouttheyearwith sightingof the big five It is famous for its elephants, but there is plenty more gametosee.

Asight you cannot afford to miss is theShetanilavaandcaves,formed from the volcanic eruption of the Kyaimu crater giving the park an aspect of a rugged wilderness.The black lava flow, 8kms long and 5mtrsdeep,hasremainedasubject of tales among the local communities who named the lavas h e t a n i m e a n i n g devil They associated the eruption to fire and evil spirits. S h e t a n i caves are predominant ly occupied my bats. Chaimu hill, lies to the southern part of shetani lava. The hillisalsobelievedtohaveformed following the eruptions of the kyaimucrater

At the heart of the park lies a peculiar sight to behold – the Mzima Springs. Experience tranquilityatitsbestinthisoasisas you indulge in refreshments and naturewalk.Don'tforgettocapture exceptional memories of vervet monkeys hopping from trees,aswellasacloseup of hippos, fish and if you are lucky, the rarely sighted nile crocodile fromtheunderwaterglass windowedviewingroom.

Wheretostayyouask?

Travelling to Makueni, you don't need to worry aboutwheretospendyour overnight.Whetheryouarevisiting for leisure, business, adventure or on transit, consider your preferences met as we offer an arrayofgratifyingaccommodation ranging from Presidential, executive, luxurious, superior and standard hotels to suit your pocket andcomfortdesire.