Makueni County is an agricultural zone. The County produces excellent horticultural crops including mango and citrus. The maize varieties popular here mature in 60 days. In the highlands we produce export grade coffee. The land is crossed by many rivers, the most well-known being Athi River. Almost all rivers are seasonal. As a result, Makueni often endures serious droughts, triggering poverty and destabilizing entire communities. The first Makueni Investment Forum convened by the Council in 2010 concluded: "Scarcity of water is the over-arching theme in Makueni. All leaders are in consensus on this challenge. Increased access to water will boost agricultural and horticultural production." The total requirement for water projects in Makueni County has not been analyzed scientifically and this must be done.