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.
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.
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.
Hundreds of households in Makueni County are poised to benefit from expanded economic opportunities as the county government accelerates the rollout of the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF), an interest-free financing program designed to strengthen community enterprises and improve livelihoods..
On Friday, four groups from Nguu Masumba and Emali/Mulala wards received KSh 50,000 each to support their income-generating activities, bringing the number of beneficiary groups in the pilot phase to 25. A total of 44 groups are expected to benefit by the end of the month.
Speaking during the disbursement, Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, urged beneficiaries to invest the funds wisely, noting that successful groups can gradually increase their borrowing limit from KSh 50,000 to KSh 500,000.
The county has set aside KSh 160 million for the interest-free loan program, which targets registered groups engaged in activities such as poultry farming, goat rearing, table banking, and tree planting, in line with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s agenda of empowering the community and improving livelihoods.
More than 500 elderly residents of Kikumbulyu South Ward have received blankets from the Government of Makueni through the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services as part of efforts to support vulnerable members of the community.
The distribution exercise covered Kasemeini Cluster, Siembeni, Kalungu and Mikuyuni Cluster, providing much-needed warmth and comfort to senior citizens as the cold season sets in. Speaking during the exercise on Thursday, Executive Committee Member Eng. Sebastian Kyoni said the initiative aims to protect the elderly from cold-related illnesses while enhancing their wellbeing and dignity.
He reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable groups through targeted social protection programmes. Area MCA Jades Kalunda welcomed the initiative and pledged support for increased resource allocation to expand its reach in future.
The Department of health in collaboration with the department of gender,children,youth,sports and social services and Cheshire Disability Services Kenya, on Friday conducted a facility assessment at Mbooni Sub County Hospital towards an establishment of a Gender-Based Violence Recovery Center.
The assessment, led by Health Services Gender-Based Violence Focal person Theresia Maweu, brought together the stakeholders to evaluate requirements for setting up the centre at Mbooni Sub County Hospital, including space, services and coordination mechanisms needed to effectively support victims and survivors of gender-based violence.
The deputy programme manager of Cheshire disability services Kenya Dr.George Shimanyula expressed their commitment to the collaboration emphasizing the importance of a coordinated approach in addressing Gender Based Violence,noting that the proposed centre will strengthen response systems and ensure victims and survivors receive timely and holistic support.
The assessment will also continue at all the sub county hospitals with the aim of decentralizing the GBVRC at makueni county referral hospital to increase accessibility to residents across the county.
Once operational, the centres are expected to benefit affected residents by improving access to integrated services such as medical care, psychosocial support and legal assistance.
This will reduce the burden of seeking help from multiple facilities and enhancing protection, dignity and recovery for victims and survivors across Makueni County.
Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, on Saturday led the Mwanyani community of Emali-Mulala Ward in a greening exercise at the Makueni County Child Rescue Centre.
The exercise was aimed at establishing a child-friendly, environmentally sustainable and conducive environment that supports the healing and well-being of children hosted at the centre.
A total of 300 seedlings comprising ornamental, indigenous and fruit trees were planted. The fruit trees will play a key role in improving nutrition for the children.
The centre, which only awaits gazettement, will serve as a street children rescue and rehabilitation facility.
The exercise was also championed by ChildFund, Dedicated Children Agency, and Eco Green Initiative.
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.
The Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services has intensified efforts to operationalize the Makueni County Child Rescue Centre at Mwanyani, Emali Mulala Ward.
As part of the preparations, County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, on Tuesday received a donation of play and art therapy materials from the Emali Dedicated Children Agency to equip the centre ahead of opening its doors to its inaugural cohort of rescued children.
Once operational, the centre will provide a safe haven for vulnerable children, offering not only shelter but also psychosocial support, counselling, education, and life skills training. It will implement structured rehabilitation programs aimed at reintegrating street-connected children back into society.
The newly donated materials will support professional counsellors and caregivers in addressing trauma while promoting emotional expression and healing among the children.
Makueni County has once again been named the top-performing county in Gender and Disability Mainstreaming for 2025, cementing its reputation as a leader in inclusive and equitable development.
The award, received by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili during a gala dinner held on Thursday evening in Nairobi, recognises institutions that deliberately integrate gender equality and disability inclusion into planning, service delivery and decision-making processes to ensure no one is left behind.
In her keynote address, Mulili said the recognition reflects Makueni’s unwavering commitment to building a society where inclusion is not an afterthought but a foundation for sustainable development.
She noted that the county has prioritised deliberate interventions that empower women, youth and persons with disabilities to participate meaningfully in economic, social and governance processes.
Gender and Disability Directorate Council Executive Director Dr Richard Nasong’o commended the Government of Kenya for making notable progress in policy development and legislation aimed at safeguarding the rights of women and persons with disabilities.
Also in attendance was the County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Youth, Children, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni.
