TaitaTaveta

Taita-Taveta County is a county in the southeastern part of Kenya, located along the border with Tanzania. It is named after two historical communities, the Taita and Taveta, and encompasses parts of the Taita Hills as well as sections of Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks. The county’s landscape ranges from the highland blocks of the Taita Hills to arid plains and scrub, with rainfall higher in the hill country.

The population includes the Taita and Taveta peoples alongside other Kenyan communities. Swahili and English are widely used in administration, while local languages such as Taita and Taveta are spoken by residents. The area has a mix of rural settlements, small towns, and protected natural areas, contributing to its cultural and ecological diversity.

Economy and land use are centered on agriculture, pastoralism, and tourism. Agriculture produces crops such as maize and bananas, while livestock farming is common in the arid zones. Tourism is a major activity due to Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks, which support wildlife viewing, birdlife, and conservation initiatives. The county also participates in cross-border trade with Tanzania at border towns like Taveta.

Administration and infrastructure: Taita-Taveta became a separate county in 2010 under Kenya’s devolved system. It is governed by a county government headed by a governor and a county assembly, with several sub-counties and wards. Major towns include Voi, Taveta, and Wundanyi, which serve as commercial and service centers. The county is connected by the Nairobi–Mombasa road corridor and a railway line that support transport and commerce in the region.

Notable sites include Tsavo National Parks, the Taita Hills, and the Sagalla Hills, which contribute to biodiversity, heritage, and outdoor recreation.