Makueni County has been selected among four counties to pilot a new, three-year research initiative — the STEP (Sustainable, Inclusive, and Equitable Procurement in Home Grown School Feeding Programmes) Project — launched today at the Argyle Grand Hotel in Nairobi. The project, led by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in collaboration with partners like Tanager and Tegemeo Institute, aims at reimagining how school meals are sourced and delivered in Kenya.

The STEP initiative is designed not only to feed learners with nutritious, homegrown food, but also to build a sustainable and inclusive procurement model that can support local economies. Besides Makueni, the other counties selected for the pilot are Nairobi, Embu, and Isiolo.

In her remarks, Makueni CECM for ICT, Education, and Internship, Elizabeth Muli, welcomed the opportunity, saying the County is fully committed to tackling child malnutrition and food insecurity through innovative and evidence-based approaches. “We look forward to learning and co-creating a system that uplifts both the nutritional status of our children and the economic resilience of our farmers,” she said.

The first six months of the STEP project will focus on applied research—conducting context analysis, assessing current school feeding procurement systems, and understanding policy gaps. Based on the findings, a model procurement system for sourcing food locally will be designed. This working model will then be piloted in two selected sites—either a single school or a cluster of schools—within each participating county.

The pilot phase will provide vital lessons on best practices, challenges, and scalability. These insights will be used to refine and package a scalable model that could eventually be rolled out nationally, helping Kenya meet its goal of universal school meal coverage for 10 million learners by 2030.

The project also emphasizes gender inclusivity, agro-ecological practices, and stronger value chains—aiming to improve farmer incomes, support smallholder producer groups, and foster gender-equitable procurement systems.

With Makueni’s prior investment in ECDE nutrition and its vulnerability to food insecurity, the county is strategically positioned to pioneer this groundbreaking model. Through STEP, school meals may soon become more than nourishment—they could become an engine for local development and systemic transformation.

Officials from Makueni County present at the launch included CECM for Health Paul Musila, Chief Officer for ICT, Education and Internship Irene Makau, Chief Officer for Livestock Dr. Victoria Kyalo, and Director, Department of ICT, Education and Internship Damaris Makau, among other County officials.

In a bold and visionary move, the County Government of Makueni has held an inception meeting with Kenya Commercial Bank Foundation(KCBF), setting the groundwork for a transformative partnership under the 2JIAJIRI program. This upcoming initiative aims to equip thousands of young people with technical skills, entrepreneurial training, and access to affordable credit — turning them from job seekers into job creators. With KCB’s Foundation financial strength and Makueni’s grassroots reach, the county is poised to become a model for youth-led economic empowerment.

The program will focus on high-impact sectors like carpentry, masonry, and beauty among others while also providing financial literacy and startup support to help youth build viable businesses. Once launched, 2JIAJIRI promises to light the path to self-reliance and prosperity for Makueni’s next generation.

The meeting was led by CECM for ICT, Education, and Internship Elizabeth Muli, CECM for Gender, Children, Sports and Social Services Sebastian Kyoni, Chief Officer Irene Makau,and CO Nicholis Mutua, among other county officials — marking the beginning of a promising journey toward sustainable youth empowerment.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has expressed concern over rampant vandalism of County projects in Kilome for scrap metal and said he had asked the County Commissioner to convene a leaders emergency meeting to discuss how to curb the menace.

Speaking on Monday during the inauguration of St. Clare Konza Girls Catholic Church, in Kiima Kiu-Kalanzoni Ward, the Governor said the activity was affecting service delivery.

He lauded the Catholic Church for its massive investment in the education sector in the country.

The girls’ school started operations in 2024. Catholic Bishop Diocese of Machakos, Rt. Rev. Norman Wambua asked the youth to embrace tenets of hard work early in life in order to be to succeeed.

He expressed concern that many young people in Kenya were addicted to drugs and asked teachers to lay a strong foundation for the youth by highlighting the danger posed by drugs.

He, at the same time, lauded partners from Germany for helping with the construction of the school. The school boasts of modern laboratories for physics, biology and chemistry among others.

The Governor was accompanied by Kilome MP Thaddeus Nzambia and MCAs led by Deputy Speaker, Francis Mulwa, area MCA, Justus Mwanzia, Reuben Kavai, Kasikeu, Joseph Mbondyo, Kilungu, Joseph Muema, Mukaa, Kyalo Mumo, Tulimani and Magdaline Mulwa.