As of June 2023[update], the mayor of Makeni is Abubakarr Kamara ("Lamtales") of the All People's Congress (APC).

[6] Kamara won the June 2023 Makeni mayoral election, garnering 93.38% of the total votes cast.

The city and the entire Bombali District overwhelmingly support the APC in a large majority in Presidential, Parliamentary, and local councils elections.

Makeni is home to one of Sierra Leone's biggest and oldest football clubs called the Wusum Stars.

Sierra Leone's national radio and television stations, SLBC (Sierra Leone Broadcasting Cooperation) are on the air in the city, as well as The BBC World Service, CNN International, and several other private stations are on the air for those who have satellite.

[9] 1,000 community members from Makeni were trained as first responders and equipped with a first aid kit by the Coalition.

[11] In March 2010, the Chinese ambassador to Sierra Leone, Qiu Shaofang traveled to the city on an official visit to donate one 16 kVA generator and nine sewing machines.

[12] Makeni is the hometown of former Sierra Leone's president Ernest Bai Koroma, as he was born and raised in the city.