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Gender

Makueni Marks International Day of Older Persons, Champions Healthy Ageing and Older Persons’ Rights.

Makueni County on Thursday joined the rest of the world in marking the International Day of Older Persons, reaffirming its commitment to promoting healthy ageing, protecting the rights of older persons and strengthening support systems that enhance their dignity and wellbeing.

The celebrations, held at the Police Grounds in Wote, brought together older persons and stakeholders to highlight the importance of coordinated interventions in addressing their health and social welfare needs.

A free medical camp was among the key activities, offering older persons screening services for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, alongside medical advice to support early detection, prevention and appropriate management of health conditions.

The event also featured a Grannies’ Football, a recent addition to the county’s sporting disciplines to promote healthy ageing.

Makueni Promotes Healthy Ageing Through Grannies’ Football.

Wote :30 th August 2026

The County Government of Makueni, through the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, on Saturday helped organise friendly football matches bringing together five grannies’ teams: Wote, Kilala, Precious’ Kikumbukyu, Maiani and Vumbu Grannies.

The matches provided the elderly women with an opportunity to stay physically active, improve their health, socialise and enjoy sports in an inclusive environment.

Speaking during the event, Interim Chairperson of the Makueni Grannies Football Association, Mary Kioko, said the association’s theme, “KICK FOR HEALTH,” highlights the role of sports in promoting the physical and social wellbeing of elderly women.

Kioko called for increased support in uniforms, sporting facilities, financial assistance and inclusion of grannies in tournaments.

The County Government provided medical support, refreshments and technical facilitation during the matches.

The initiative reflects Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior’s commitment to empowering women while prioritising their health, dignity and wellbeing at every stage of life.

MAKUENI TO EXTEND MOBILITY SUPPORT TO 300 MORE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The Makueni County Government will provide assistive devices to 300 more persons with disabilities next month under its partnership with Hope Mobility Kenya, as the two institutions deepen efforts to improve mobility and access to rehabilitation services.

The commitment was reaffirmed during a consultative meeting on Wednesday between County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, Chief Officer Catherine Katuti, county officials and representatives from Hope Mobility Kenya.

The outreach programme will provide beneficiaries with properly fitted assistive devices, including wheelchairs, crutches, elbow crutches and other mobility aids. The exercise will also include follow-up assessments for previous beneficiaries to evaluate the condition of their devices and ensure they continue to meet users’ mobility needs.

As part of the collaboration, Hope Mobility Kenya donated 10 auxiliary crutches and 20 walking frames to the county to strengthen support for residents requiring mobility assistance.

ECM Kyoni said more than 700 persons with disabilities have benefited from assistive devices and rehabilitation services since the partnership was established.

The programme will also enhance local capacity through the training of 15 artisans and 10 healthcare workers drawn from sub-county hospitals. The trainees will receive skills in the fitting, maintenance and repair of assistive devices to improve access to services at the community level.

The ECM said the initiative aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s agenda of promoting inclusion, equal access to services and improved quality of life for persons with disabilities across Makueni County.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR LUCY MULILI CALLS FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION TO END GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN MAKUENI

Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili has reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to eliminating Gender-Based Violence (GBV), calling on residents to break the culture of silence and work together to protect the rights and dignity of all.

Speaking on Wednesday during the Anti-GBV Champions Engagement Forum in Wote on behalf of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., the Deputy Governor lauded Anti-GBV champions, community leaders, the Judiciary, security agencies, religious leaders and development partners for their unwavering efforts in preventing violence and supporting survivors.

She said the county has established progressive policy frameworks, including the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Policy, Gender Policy, Children Policy and Disability Policy, and is finalizing the Makueni County Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Bill to strengthen coordination and accountability in addressing GBV.

Mulili urged men and boys to champion positive masculinity and called on communities to reject harmful cultural practices that perpetuate violence.

She reaffirmed that the county government will continue investing in community awareness, survivor support systems, capacity building, behaviour change communication and stronger multi-sectoral partnerships to build a GBV-free Makueni.

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT: COUNTY DISTRIBUTES TENTS TO SELF-HELP GROUPS ENCOURAGES UPTAKE OF EMPOWERMENT FUND.

Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili has called on organised groups across the county to take advantage of the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF), describing it as a key county government initiative aimed at accelerating economic empowerment and improving livelihoods.

Speaking during the distribution of tents and chairs to 12 self-help groups in Kiima Kiu/Kalanzoni Ward, Mulili said the county government will provide the funds as interest-free loans to eligible groups, enabling them to invest in sustainable income-generating projects.

She noted that the empowerment fund is part of the county administration’s broader commitment to strengthening community-based enterprises, creating economic opportunities, and enhancing financial independence among organised groups.

The programme seeks to equip self-help groups with income-generating assets, including tents and chairs that can be hired out during community events, providing a steady source of revenue for beneficiaries.

Mulili urged the groups to safeguard the county’s investments by properly maintaining the assets and ensuring the projects are managed responsibly to deliver lasting socio-economic benefits.

HUDUMA MASHINANI RETURNS TO KIKUMBULYU SOUTH, BENEFITING OVER 2,000 RESIDENTS

The County Government of Makueni, through the Department of Gender in collaboration with Huduma Kenya, on Wednesday rolled out the second phase of the Huduma Mashinani programme in Kikumbulyu South Ward, enabling 2,024 residents to access vital government services and documents.

Residents benefited from services including processing of birth and death certificates, national IDs, voter registration cards, certificates of good conduct, marriage certificates, affidavits, and other essential documents.

While inspecting the programme, CECM for Gender Eng. Sebastian Kyoni said the initiative, under the leadership of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior, will continue across all wards in the county to ensure every resident can conveniently access government services and documentation.

He reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to bringing services closer to the people and eliminating barriers to access.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR LUCY MULILI ON WEDNESDAY LED A COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE IN KASIKEU.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Wednesday led a community empowerment initiative in Kasikeu, distributing tents, seats and sporting equipment to support community groups and youth development.

The equipment is intended to strengthen community activities and support income-generating initiatives.Mulili urged residents to organize themselves into registered groups to benefit from the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF).

Through the fund, eligible groups can access a minimum allocation of Ksh 50,000, with opportunities for increased support based on growth and accountability.

The initiative aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., administration which continues to prioritize grassroots empowerment, economic inclusion and youth development across Makueni County.

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. Tuesday issued tents and chairs to six self-help groups in Kitundu, Kithungo/Kitundu Ward, to support their community initiatives and income-generating activities.

While presiding over the handover ceremony, the Governor encouraged residents to unite and form groups. He emphasized the importance of pooling resources and efforts so that communities can benefit collectively through cooperative societies.

GOVERNOR MUTULA UNVEILS NEW FRAMEWORK TO LIFT ULTRA-POOR HOUSEHOLDS OUT OF POVERTY

Makueni County has launched a new framework aimed at lifting vulnerable households out of extreme poverty through the Makueni Ultra-Poor Graduation Act, 2026.

Speaking during the launch of the Act, an initiative jointly implemented by the county government and Village Enterprise, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. said the programme is designed to make the government more responsive to the needs of the county’s poorest residents, particularly those surviving on less than KSh100 per day.

“This program makes the government humane by directly responding to the needs of the poorest among us,” said the governor.

As part of the rollout, the county has initiated pilot projects in six villages, one in each sub-county, selected based on poverty index scores. Beneficiaries will receive training, grants, and other forms of support to help them establish sustainable livelihoods and achieve economic independence.

Governor Mutula noted that while the six pilot villages mark an important beginning, they represent only a small portion of the county’s 3,663 villages, highlighting the need for gradual expansion of the programme.

Village Enterprise Chief Executive Officer Sazini Mojapelo said the initiative’s success will be measured by its ability to transform lives and enable households to move from poverty to economic self-reliance.

The Ultra-Poor Graduation Programme is expected to play a key role in reducing poverty levels across Makueni by equipping vulnerable households with the skills, resources, and support needed to build resilient and sustainable sources of income.

GENDER OFFICERS EQUIPPED WITH SKILLS TO INTEGRATE SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS IN DEVELOPMENT

The Kenya School of Government continues to play a critical role in strengthening public service by equipping government officers with the knowledge and skills required to effectively deliver development and services to citizens.

In partnership with the World Bank through the Kenya Devolution Support Programme (KDSP), the Department of Gender sponsored a group of officers for a week-long Social Risks Management in development training at the Kenya School of Government’s Lower Kabete campus.

The programme focused on strengthening participants’ understanding of social inclusion, social risk assessment and safeguarding measures in development planning and implementation.

Speaking during the official closing ceremony, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili said the training was timely, given the growing need to address social inclusion, assess social risks and protect vulnerable groups within communities.

Mulili noted that sustainable and meaningful development can only be achieved when social considerations are fully integrated into planning, decision-making and implementation processes.

She emphasized the importance of ensuring that development interventions are inclusive and responsive to the needs of all members of society, particularly vulnerable populations.