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MAKUENI COUNTY HAS EMERGED A STRONG CONTENDER AT THE ONGOING REGIONAL KENYA MUSIC FESTIVALS IN THARAKA NITHI COUNTY, SECURING SEVEN SPOTS IN THE RACE TO THE NATIONALS.

Wisdom Manna from Mukuyuni Primary School clinched position one in the Kiswahili solo verse “Niwashie Taa” with 90 marks, while Nzambani took second place in Kiswahili choral set verses with the piece “Mbona.”

In the English choral verse “Lavender’s Blue,” Chief Kiamba Primary took first place, with Mukuyuni Primary coming second.

Out of the 10 items from the County that qualified for regionals, seven have secured a spot at the national stage set for next month in Meru.

The five-day music festival is currently underway at Chuka Boys High School in Tharaka Nithi County.

The Makueni team is led by Chief Officer for ICT, Education and Internship Irene Makau and County Assembly representatives including Education Committee Chair, Joseph Mbindyo.

FROM LEARNING TO LEADING: MAKUENI’S COHORT VII INTERNS EXIT WITH JOBS, SCHOLARSHIP

It was a bittersweet moment as Makueni County’s seventh cohort of interns gathered today at Makueni Integrated Vocational Empowerment Centre for their exit meeting after one transformative year in various county departments.

The internship program, which aims to arm fresh graduates with hands-on skills for the competitive job market, saw 125 young professionals take up placements last July — and the results speak for themselves.

By the time they were concluding their contracts, eight had already secured employment opportunities, one earned a coveted scholarship for further studies, and many left equipped with valuable experience they can leverage moving forward.

The internship, a cornerstone of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s commitment to youth empowerment, offers practical exposure and mentorship to those making their first career strides in public service.

The meeting was presided over by ICT, Education and Internship, CECM, Elizabeth Muli, and attended by CECMs, Nicholas Nzioka, Devolution and Dr. Sonia Nzilani, Trade and Chief Officer Irene Makau.

The county is now turning its attention to the next batch. Applications for the eighth cohort are ongoing and will close on July 3.

NDULUKU VTC PARENTS’ DAY SPARKS RENEWED CALL FOR SKILLS‑DRIVEN FUTURE

Parents and guardians of students at Nduluku Vocational Training Centre gathered today for the 2025 Parents’ Day — a vibrant celebration of talent, skills, and progress in vocational training.

The colorful event was graced by CECM for ICT, Education and Internship, Elizabeth Muli, alongside Chief Officer Irene Makau, area MCA Hon. Dennis Musyoka and members of the institution’s board.

Families witnessed first‑hand the impact of hands‑on learning, as students showcased their abilities in trades like fashion design, carpentry, beauty therapy, and electrical installation.

In line with the Governor’s manifesto to expand access to quality skills training and uplift the youth, the County Government has partnered with the KCB Foundation through the 2Jiajiri program.

This collaboration has enabled 900 students to join 15 institutions across the county, strengthening access to quality, skills‑based education and reinforcing the county’s commitment to nurturing a generation of highly skilled youth.

Notably, Nduluku VTC emerged as the biggest beneficiary of this initiative, enrolling 159 students — the highest number across all participating institutions — cementing its role as a beacon of vocational training and a catalyst for a more skilled and resilient future.

GOVERNOR MUTULA IMPRESSES SENATE WITH BOLD EDUCATION MILESTONES IN MAKUENI.

The Senate Standing Committee on Education was all ears on Thursday as Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr took the spotlight, in explaining bold strides the County has made in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) and Vocational Technical Education.

Appearing before the committee at Parliament Buildings on Thursday, Governor Mutula expounded a picture of Makueni’s education landscape.

Mutula told the committee that the County has so far constructed 354 ECDE centres equipped to accommodate over 43,000 young learners; with each centre including modern infrastructure: two classrooms, an admin office, a store, ablution facilities and two 10,000-litre water tanks — a major step forward in early learning access and quality.

In the governor’s presentation, it was clear that the county’s efforts go beyond bricks and mortar. The Governor proudly reported that 957 ECDE teachers have been absorbed into permanent and pensionable terms, a move that drew praise from the Senate Committee Members for securing job stability and boosting education delivery.

On technical training, Governor Mutula reported that 61 Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) under his administration, are active across the county, enrolling close to 4,000 trainees. These institutions are giving Makueni youth a fighting chance in an evolving job market by equipping them with hands-on skills.

The Senator Betty Montet led Committee was quick to applaud the county’s efforts. Laikipia Senator John Kinyua hailed the strong partnerships that have made the projects possible, while Committee Vice Chairperson Prof. Margaret Kamar expressed her admiration for the county’s commitment to empowering youth through skills training. The session was attended by Senator Daniel Maanzo.

The Governor, who was accompanied by CECMS Elizabeth Muli (Education), Damaris Kavoi (Finance), Nicholas Nzioka (Devolution) and Chief Officer Irene Makau, urged the Senate committee to support timely and adequate funding for counties to sustain and expand these education gains.

“Education is the backbone of transformation in our county,” Mutula emphasized, calling for increased support from the national government to ensure no learner is left behind.

MAKUENI AMONG FOUR COUNTIES SELECTED FOR PILOT OF HOMEGROWN SCHOOL FEEDING RESEARCH PROJECT

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.

MAKUENI AND KCB SET STAGE FOR TRANSFORMATIVE PARTNERSHIP

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.

ECDE TEACHERS TRAINED ON CHILD NURTURING CARE IN MAKUENI

Over 500 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers drawn from Mbooni, Kaiti, and Makueni sub-counties have undergone a two-day training on Child Nurturing Care, held across various locations in Makueni County.

The workshop, supported by UNICEF, focused on key pillars of early childhood development including health, nutrition, safety, and responsive caregiving for children.

The trained teachers are now expected to champion best practices in nurturing care within their communities.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili lauded UNICEF for its continued support, reaffirming the county’s commitment to delivering quality early childhood education.

Education CECM Elizabeth Muli emphasized the critical role of nutrition in early learning and urged the teachers to actively engage parents in promoting proper nutrition among learners.

The event was attended by a host of leaders including Devolution CECM Nicholas Nzioka, County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa, Chief Officer for Education Irene Makau, UNICEF representative Rehema Muniu, nominated MCAs Jennifer Kamanthe and Elizabeth Mutindi.

TEACHERS IN MAKUENI EMPOWERED FOR A STRONG FOUNDATION IN EARLY LEARNING

A new chapter in early childhood education has begun in Makueni as 400 teachers from Kilome, Kibwezi West, and Kibwezi East gathered at Kibwezi Teachers Training College for a transformative capacity building workshop. This bold step, spearheaded by the County Government of Makueni in partnership with UNICEF, reflects a major investment in shaping the future of young learners.

The workshop comes hot on the heels of a historic achievement—Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s confirmation of all 959 participating teachers into permanent and pensionable terms. This landmark decision underscores the County’s strong commitment to the dignity, welfare, and professional growth of educators.

Under the theme “Retooling for Efficient Curriculum Implementation and Improved Caregiving,” the training aims to sharpen teachers’ skills in modern pedagogy, promote nurturing care, and enhance effective delivery of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

The event was graced by key leaders including Deputy Governor H.E. Lucy Mulili, CECM ICT, Education and Internship Elizabeth Muli, CECM Devolution Nicholas Nzioka, UNICEF Kenya’s Jane Kariuki, KasaMBA Kiilu, Governor’s Political Advisor, and Chief Officer Irene Makau, among others.

Makueni County proudly becomes the first in Kenya to host a retooling workshop of this scale—further solidifying its place as a trailblazer in early learning development. Leaders and partners hailed Governor Mutula’s visionary leadership in making early childhood education a top priority.

The County has also inked a strategic partnership with UNICEF to drive impactful programs in health and nutrition, school feeding, digital learning, kitchen gardens, and social protection—all geared towards holistic child development.

This workshop is more than just training—it’s a movement to build a strong, nurturing foundation for Kenya’s future.

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GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. COMMISSIONS ECDE CENTER AND DELIVERS AID TO VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES IN TULIMANI WARD

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Wednesday unveiled a new Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) center at Wambuli Primary School, as part of his ongoing development tour of Tulimani Ward.

The initiative ,part of a broader program under the Department of Education,aims to provide quality learning facilities for the pre-primary children across the County.

In addition to this educational advancement,

Governor Mutula and his team distributed 300 blankets to the elderly residents in the ward to cushion them against weather related ailments during the rain and cold season.

The initiative aims to offer warmth and comfort during the current cold season.

The governor’s tour also featured a legal land clinic, where residents were able to access free legal services.

Governor Mutula was joined by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Tulimani Ward MCA Kyalo Mumo, and other local leaders during the event.

MUKONONI ECDE CENTER IN KIKUMBULYU NORTH COMMISSIONED

Thursday – The Mukononi Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) Center was officially commissioned today, marking a significant milestone in enhancing early learning infrastructure.

The commissioning ceremony was led by County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Water, Eng. John Kieti, alongside Kikumbulyu North MCA Jackson Mbalu and Director of Education Damaris Makau.

The new facility is expected to provide a conducive learning environment for young children, reinforcing the county government’s commitment to improving education standards.