Departments

MAKUENI MARKS WORLD KIDNEY DAY 2026.

The Department of Health Services on Thursday joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Kidney Day 2026 at Green Park in Wote.

The event, themed “Kidney Health for All: Caring for People, Protecting the Environment,” was led by a team of medical professionals from the Makueni County Referral Hospital.

During the event, the team conducted free kidney screenings and delivered health talks aimed at raising awareness about kidney health and the importance of early detection.

Speaking at the event, the nurse in charge of the MCRH Renal Department, Christine Andrew, encouraged residents to adopt simple but effective practices to protect their kidneys and prevent complications.

MAKUENI BOLSTERS VOCATIONAL TRAINING WITH MODERN EQUIPMENT!

In a major boost to technical education, Makueni County Government has today officially received a significant consignment of modern technical equipment. This procurement, spearheaded by the Department of ICT, Education, and Internship, is designed to fully kit out our Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) across the county.

This isn’t just about tools; it’s about future-proofing our workforce. By modernizing our workshops, we are ensuring that Makueni’s young people have access to industry-standard training that meets the demands of the 21st-century job market.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. remains steadfast in his commitment to the economic empowerment of our youth by bridging the gap between education and the marketplace.

GOVERNOR MUTULA PLEDGES MORE FUNDING TO EXPAND HUDUMA MASHINANI PROGRAM

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has announced that his administration will increase annual budgetary allocations to strengthen the Huduma Mashinani Program, an initiative aimed at bringing government services closer to the grassroots.

Speaking on Thursday while hosting Huduma Kenya Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Chilumo to review the implementation of the program in Makueni, Governor Mutula termed the initiative a game changer that has revolutionized the delivery of government services.

So far, 63,000 residents across 23 wards have benefited from the program, accessing 23 different services such as birth and death certificates, SHA registration, groups registration, IEBC voter registration, driving licences, civil marriage registration, and certificates of good conduct, among others.

Mr. Chilumo pledged continued support for the county government, including the establishment of dedicated Huduma Kenya service desks within county government installations, where the requisite facilities will be provided to facilitate service delivery.

County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu reaffirmed Governor Mutula’s call for increased budgetary support, noting that the program has saved residents the cost and inconvenience of traveling long distances to access government services.

MAKUENI FIRST LADY DONATES EQUIPMENT TO MBOONI HOSPITAL AS EYE CAMP SERVES HUNDREDS.

Makueni First Lady Anita Mutula on Thursday donated medical equipment to help operationalize the newly constructed emergency and family block at Mbooni Sub County Hospital.

Through the Anita Mbinya Foundation, Anita delivered 50 fully dressed hospital beds, 50 bedside cabinets, 25 baby cots and hospital curtains to prepare the facility ahead of its commissioning. The First Lady said the donation will strengthen healthcare services as the hospital awaits full equipping before opening to the public.

During the visit, she checked on a free eye screening camp at the hospital organized by her foundation in partnership with the Makueni County Government, Klear Eye Africa and the Kenya Society for the Blind.

Medical teams at the camp served hundreds of residents through eye examinations and distribution of prescription glasses. Doctors have also performed at least 80 cataract surgeries.

Organizers aim to conduct 150 cataract surgeries before the camp concludes on Friday. The outreach also offers blood pressure and blood sugar screening.

Joyce Mutua, Makueni County Executive Committee Member for Health, thanked the foundation and its partners for supporting the initiative.

Mutua said the county government plans to establish an eye unit at Mbooni Sub County Hospital to expand access to specialized eye care. She added that the county is equipping the new hospital block, including completing electrification works and allocating funds in the county budget.

MAKUENI LAUNCHES COUNTYWIDE TAX DISCOUNT ROADSHOW TO BOOST REVENUE COLLECTION

The Department of Finance on Monday launched a countywide tax discount roadshow aimed at encouraging traders to comply with tax obligations and enhance revenue collection across the county.

The initiative includes a tax discount programme running from March 9, 2026, targeting small-scale traders who form the majority of taxpayers in the county.

Under the programme, traders paying less than KSh 10,000 will receive a 10 percent discount, while those paying above KSh 10,000 will benefit from a five percent discount.

Speaking while flagging off the campaign at Wote Bus Park, County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning Damaris Kavoi emphasized the critical role of taxes in driving development across the county.

Kavoi also highlighted the benefits of the digitized tax payment systems, noting that residents can now conveniently access services without the need to travel long distances.

The five-day roadshow began on Monday and covered several areas including Wote, Kilala, Mukuyuni, Kikima, Kalawani, Tawa and Mbumbuni, as part of efforts to reach traders directly and sensitize them on the tax discount initiative.

MAKUENI WOMEN MARK INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WITH CALL FOR JUSTICE

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Monday led Makueni County in commemorating International Women’s Day during celebrations held at Green Park in Wote.

The event, themed “Rights. Justice. Action for All Women and Girls,” brought together women from across the county alongside schoolgirls to champion a unified call for justice, equity and empowerment.

Discussions during the event highlighted key issues including economic empowerment, access to education and skills development, climate sustainability, leadership and representation, as well as the importance of solidarity and collaboration among women.

Meryline Mbithe, a mother of five from Mbooni, shared her personal experience of surviving Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). Addressing the gathering, she encouraged women facing violence not to remain silent or endure abuse, but to seek help from relevant authorities.

Mulili, reiterated the county government’s commitment to protecting survivors and promoting gender equality. She highlighted several legal frameworks in place to safeguard the rights of survivors, including the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence policy, the Gender Policy and the Children’s Policy.

Through partnerships with development partners, she pointed out, the county government’s commitment to invest in the next generation of girls by supporting programs that address adolescent health, nutrition and reproductive health education.

Mulili was accompanied by Gender CECM Sebastian Kyoni, Chief Officers’ Nickolis Kaunde (Gender) and Felistus Mutune (Office of the Governor), as well as County Solicitor Jennifer Kyumwa.

UJUZI TEKETEKE PROGRAMME EQUIPS YOUTHS WITH TOOLS FOR SELF-RELIANCE

17 young people in Kikumbulyu North Ward have received tools of trade to start their own bisiness ventures under the Ujuzi Teketeke Programme,

The initiative spearhead by the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services aims at empowering young people with practical skills and opportunities for self-employment.

Speaking during the distribution exercise, Executive Committee Member Eng. Sebastian Kyoni noted that the programme will continue to roll out in other wards across the county as part of efforts to empower more youths through skills development and enterprise support.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO Jr. FORMS TASKFORCE TO REFORM MAKUENI MANGO VALUE CHAIN

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has established a taskforce to overhaul the mango value chain in Makueni County, in a bid to curb chronic post-harvest losses and improve earnings for farmers.

The team established under an Executive Order number 2 of 2026 has been mandated to design and spearhead reforms aimed at eliminating mango wastage after harvest, stabilizing farm-gate prices and ensuring more predictable incomes for growers across the county.

The taskforce will also propose measures to reduce farmers’ reliance on brokers, a long-standing concern that has weakened producers’ bargaining power and exposed them to volatile prices.

Among its core responsibilities will be preparing the county’s mango sector for export markets by strengthening quality standards, improving coordination among actors in the supply chain and enhancing aggregation and supply systems.

The team is further expected to develop a framework to ensure sustainable operations at the Makueni County Mango Processing Plant, a county-run facility established to promote value addition and reduce fruit wastage during peak harvest seasons.

Governor Kilonzo has directed the taskforce to submit a comprehensive report within three weeks outlining actionable recommendations and an implementation roadmap for transforming the sector.

Makueni County is one of Kenya’s leading mango-producing regions, but farmers have for years struggled with high post-harvest losses, fluctuating prices and heavy dependence on middlemen.

The newly appointed taskforce comprises Mr. Nzioka King’ola, Eng. Josphat Musyoki, Eng. Petronila Ogut, Mr. John Thiong’o, Ms. Caroline Ngina and Ms. Dorcus Mutua.

THE SAFARICOM TEAM PAID A COURTESY CALL ON MAKUENI COUNTY.

The Safaricom team paid a courtesy call on Makueni County as part of efforts to better understand customer needs and network coverage gaps in the region. The team, led by Mark Oyier, Head of Department for Business Support Systems, sought to gain first-hand insights into service delivery and connectivity challenges within the county.

The Makueni County Deputy Governor hosted the delegation and expressed appreciation to Safaricom for its continued support and collaboration in improving the lives of Makueni residents. The Deputy Governor highlighted the company’s partnerships with the county in key sectors including health, water, and trade.

SIX DAIRY COOPERATIVES RECEIVE OVER KSH 7.9 MILLION TO CUSHION FARMERS AGAINST DROUGHT

Six dairy farmers’ cooperative societies in Makueni have received a cumulative KSh. 7,975,000 under the Drought Mitigation Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) of the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) to strengthen livestock farmers’ resilience during the ongoing dry spell.

The grants, issued on different days throughout the week, are intended at improving farmers’ access to quality livestock feeds and veterinary inputs following the failed October–November–December rains.

Through the intervention, cooperatives will procure and resell essential inputs such as hay bales, mineral licks, dairy and range cubes, cotton hulls and dewormers to sustain milk production and protect farmer incomes.

Speaking during a cheque issuance to Kibwezi Dairy Farmers Cooperative on Wednesday, Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli said the initiative will help stabilize dairy productivity and ensure livestock remain well nourished as farmers await the next rainy season. She urged the cooperatives to adhere strictly to grant guidelines and ensure prudent use of the funds.

Other beneficiary cooperatives include Kitise Farmers Cooperative, Makiou Farmers Dairy Cooperative, Twakima Farmers Cooperative, Kibwezi East Farmers Cooperative and Kalawa Dairy Farmers Cooperative.