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Case Study: How Makueni’s Spatial Planning Model Drives Sustainable County Development

Updated: Aug 24

Makueni County, a semi-arid region in Kenya’s Eastern region, is setting a national example in sustainable, inclusive planning through its County Spatial Plan (CSP) and subsequent integration into its County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2018–2022. By grounding its development strategy in spatial data, community input, and climate resilience, Makueni shows how counties can align local priorities with national goals such as Vision 2030, the Physical and Land Use Planning Act (2019), and the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP).

Desert Lizard also found in Semi-arid regions
Desert Lizard also found in Semi-arid regions

At Lybrae Spatial Solutions, we studied Makueni’s approach to extract replicable best practices that other counties can adopt to promote resilient and coherent land use planning.

Why Makueni’s Planning Model Matters

Spanning over 8,034 km² and home to about 1 million residents, Makueni faces complex development challenges: water scarcity, erratic rainfall, land degradation, and growing urban centers like Wote and Emali.


Instead of addressing these challenges piecemeal, Makueni adopted a comprehensive County Spatial Plan (2018–2028)—which informed the CIDP 2018–2022. Key innovations in the plan include:


1. Zoning for Sustainability

Makueni designated clear zones for agriculture (covering over 80% of land), conservation, and urban growth. This helped:

  • Protect sensitive ecosystems like Chyulu Hills and parts of the Tsavo ecosystem

  • Prevent land-use conflicts by pre-emptively managing urban sprawl

  • Promote economic zones in strategic towns like Wote, Emali, Kibwezi, and Makindu


2. Climate-Resilient Planning

By integrating climate risk data, Makueni’s plan prioritized:

  • Drought-resistant crops

  • Rainwater harvesting infrastructure

  • Ecosystem restoration (e.g., degraded catchment areas)

This aligns with the NCCAP (2018–2022) and Kenya’s obligations under the Paris Agreement.


3. Participatory, Community-Centric Approach

Extensive consultations with farmers, pastoralists, traders, and youth ensured planning reflected local priorities:

  • In Kathonzweni, residents proposed beekeeping zones (apiculture) to diversify livelihoods and conserve vegetation

  • Local elders contributed to mapping sacred groves and community forests, enhancing cultural heritage conservation


4. Data-Driven Decision-Making

Makueni’s planners leveraged GIS mapping, remote sensing, and land-use change analysis (2000–2016) to:

  • Identify deforestation hotspots

  • Predict future urban growth corridors

  • Assess risks like flood-prone zones or overgrazed lands

What Other Counties Can Learn

  1. Invest in Planning Tools & Technology

    Counties like Kitui, Narok, and Tana River can adopt GIS-based planning to identify environmental vulnerabilities and allocate land efficiently.

  2. Embed Climate Adaptation

    Semi-arid and coastal counties can mirror Makueni’s climate focus:

    • Garissa: sand dams, rangeland zoning

    • Kilifi: flood buffering zones and mangrove protection

  3. Institutionalize Community Participation

    Counties with land-use conflict—e.g., Laikipia or Isiolo—can replicate participatory mapping to build trust and resolve competing claims.

  4. Align with National Frameworks

    Makueni’s spatial plan aligns with:

    • Vision 2030 pillars (economic, social, political)

    • National Spatial Plan (2015–2045)

    • Physical and Land Use Planning Act (2019)

  5. Other counties, like Kisumu, Uasin Gishu, or Machakos, can strengthen their CPLUDPs by aligning zoning with national development targets (e.g., industrialization, affordable housing).

Key Takeaways

  • Spatial planning should precede or inform the CIDP — not follow it

  • Data and technology improve accuracy and legitimacy of plans

  • Community involvement enhances implementation and reduces conflict

  • Alignment with legal frameworks ensures funding and legitimacy

Conclusion: A Blueprint for Counties Nationwide

Makueni’s example proves that spatial planning is not just a legal requirement — it’s a development multiplier. By embedding sustainability, resilience, and equity into its land-use framework, Makueni shows that counties can turn planning documents into real, lasting change.


As the next generation of CIDPs and CPLUDPs are prepared across Kenya, counties must follow Makueni’s lead: grounding ambition in spatial reality.

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