Health

MAKUENI REVIEWS PROGRESS OF NUTRITION PROGRAMME, RECORDS 98 PER CENT IMPLEMENTATION RATE.

The County Government of Makueni, in collaboration with the Departments of Health Services, Agriculture, and Gender, and with support from Helen Keller International, has reviewed the implementation of activities under the first year of a two-year nutrition programme.

The review meeting, which brought together officers from the three departments, revealed that 98 per cent of the planned activities had been successfully implemented across the six sub-counties.

The programme, dubbed Transforming Lives Through Nutrition, has been under implementation since July 2025. It focuses on both nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions aimed at improving the nutritional status and overall well-being of residents.

Nutrition-specific interventions are being spearheaded by the Department of Health Services, while nutrition-sensitive activities are being implemented by the Departments of Agriculture and Gender.

Helen Keller International, working in partnership with a consortium of development partners, is supporting the programme’s implementation as part of efforts to strengthen nutrition outcomes and enhance household resilience across Makueni County.

MAKUENI CONVERTS FORMER LAW COURTS BUILDING INTO LEVEL THREE HEALTH FACILITY.

The Makueni County Government has allocated funds for the renovation of the old Makueni Law Courts building, which originally served as the first hospital in Wote Town, to transform it into a Level Three health facility.

The move is aimed at addressing challenges faced by patients seeking healthcare services at Makueni County Referral Hospital, particularly when accessing services under the Social Health Authority (SHA) framework.

Under SHA regulations, patients are required to obtain referrals from lower-level health facilities before accessing services at referral hospitals.

To ease pressure on the county referral hospital and improve access to healthcare services, the county government has invested in the establishment of a Level Three facility within Wote Town.

Speaking on Tuesday during the handover of the renovation project to a contractor, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. urged the contractor to work closely with the local community to help boost economic opportunities for residents during the project period.

The governor also directed the Wote Water Company to ensure the facility is supplied with adequate water to support its 24-hour operations.

He further called on the Department of Health Services to progressively expand the facility’s capacity to accommodate additional services, including maternity and gynaecological care.

Governor Mutula said the facility, which is set to be gazetted soon, will also be fully equipped to provide quality healthcare services to residents.

The event was attended by area MCA Felix Mateso, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services Joyce Mutua, and Chief Officer for Health Administration and Human Resource Dr Harvey Mulei.

‘I CAN FINALLY SEE HOPE’, ELDERLY WOMAN PRAISES ACCESS TO SPECIALIZED CARE

A 70-year-old resident of Kitaingo, Grace Wambua, is overjoyed after receiving medical attention following years of struggling with an eye condition.

Grace, who has been diagnosed with cataracts and is scheduled to undergo eye surgery, could not hide her excitement after meeting Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili at Mukaa Comprehensive School in Kilome, where a free medical camp took place.

Speaking during the event, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to access specialized treatment and commended Governor Mutula for fostering partnerships that bring essential services closer to the people.

MUTULA HAILS M-PESA FOUNDATION AFTER SUCCESSFUL MUKAA MEDICAL CAMP

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has commended the M-PESA Foundation for honouring its partnership commitment with the county government following the successful medical camp jointly organised at Mukaa Comprehensive School.

The Governor described the exercise as an “amazing concept,” noting that the venue effectively operated like a Level Six health facility due to the wide range of medical services offered to residents.

Speaking after touring various service points to assess the progress of the services offered, Mutula said that 33 patients had already been diagnosed with cataracts and identified for corrective surgery, while others had received prescription spectacles.

He further announced that 23 pints of blood had been collected through the blood donation drive conducted at the blood bank tent, noting that the initiative would significantly contribute to strengthening healthcare services in the county.

Governor Mutula also acknowledged the M-PESA Foundation team for its continued support to the county through various health initiatives, including the construction of state-of-the-art maternity facilities and the donation of medical equipment, among other interventions.

The Governor expressed satisfaction that many residents from Kilome would return home with medication sufficient to last at least three months, easing their access to essential healthcare services.

FREE MEDICAL CAMP OFFERS NEW HOPE TO ELDERLY MAN BATTLING HEARING LOSS

A seventy-eight-year-old Soo Kiamba from Kitaingo could not hide his joy after meeting Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. at Mukaa Comprehensive School on Saturday, whom he commended for forging partnerships that directly benefit the public and urged him to sustain such collaborations.

Makueni is collaborating with the M-Pesa Foundation, is conducting a free general medical camp at Mukaa comprehensive school on Saturday.

Kiamba said he has been seeking treatment at private clinics for years but is now hopeful that he may finally regain his hearing following consultations at the camp.

Having experienced hearing difficulties for several years, he described the free medical outreach as a lifeline and praised the initiative for bringing essential healthcare services closer to residents.

Governor Mutula, accompanied by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili and officials from the M-Pesa Foundation, toured various service points at the venue to assess the progress of the medical camp.

Hundreds of residents had already registered for treatment by Saturday morning, with the exercise expected to continue until 5 p.m.

HUNDREDS TURN UP FOR FREE MEDICAL CAMP IN KILOME.

Hundreds of residents from Kilome and neighbouring areas have flocked to Mukaa Comprehensive School for a free medical camp jointly organized by the Makueni County Government and the M-Pesa Foundation.

According to Kilome Sub-county Medical Officer of Health, Charles Mulwa, at least 750 patients had already been registered and are currently receiving healthcare services .

The camp is expected to serve more than 3,000 people.

The medical outreach is offering a wide range of services, including X-ray and ultrasound examinations, laboratory tests, management of chronic diseases, telemedicine consultations, electrocardiogram (ECG) services, fistula screening, general cancer screening, mental health services, eye screening, and dental care, among other health interventions.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and his deputy Lucy Mulili are expected to join the M-Pesa Foundation team, which is already on the ground overseeing the exercise.

Makueni County has partnered with the M-Pesa Foundation on several other healthcare initiatives, including the provision of medical equipment and the construction and improvement of maternity facilities across the county.

FREE AMBULANCE SERVICE FOR MAKUENI RESIDENTS:

“As part of our continued commitment to supporting our people and ensuring that no resident is denied emergency healthcare because of financial constraints, I am pleased to announce that, through the provisions of the new Finance Bill, all internal ambulance transfers for Makueni residents within the county will be offered free of charge effective 1st July 2026. To enhance accountability, efficiency, and patient safety, the County Government, in partnership with ENI, will implement a comprehensive ambulance tracking system. This initiative will help monitor ambulance movements, curb fuel misuse, drunk driving, promote responsible driving practices, and ensure that emergency response services are delivered effectively and efficiently. This intervention reflects our government’s enduring commitment to providing compassionate, accessible, and people centred healthcare for every household across Makueni County.” Governor Mutula kilonzo Jr. revealed in his speech during Madaraka Day celebrations.

VITAMIN ANGELS COMMENDS MAKUENI ON MATERNAL HEALTH DRIVE

Vitamin Angels Founder Howard B. Schiffer has commended Makueni County for prioritising the welfare of vulnerable women through interventions aimed at addressing malnutrition and improving maternal health.

Speaking on Thursday during the flag-off of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) in Makueni, Schiffer said the county had demonstrated commitment to supporting women who lack the economic means to adequately address nutrition challenges.

He noted that the partnership between Vitamin Angels and the County Government of Makueni will enhance access to essential nutrition services for underserved pregnant women, infants and children across the county.

Vitamin Angels Africa Technical Director,Dr. Lucy Kanya described the intervention as an equaliser and a global solution in addressing maternal anaemia. She applauded Makueni County for taking the initiative to secure the intervention for women, terming the move monumental for the county.

Dr.Kanya further said the programme is expected to contribute to a reduction in preterm births, cases of babies born underweight, and improve the overall health of mothers and children, describing it as an investment with generational impact.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. acknowledged that a majority of residents rely on public hospitals for healthcare services and said leaders have a responsibility to provide solutions that directly benefit the public.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rolling out interventions aimed at addressing critical healthcare challenges in the county.

MAKUENI FLAGS OFF MICRONUTRIENT SUPPLEMENTS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and Vitamin Angels Founder Howard B. Schiffer on Thursday flagged off 7,200 bottles of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), each containing 180 tablets, for distribution to 13 selected health facilities across Makueni County under a pilot programme.

The beneficiaries include Makueni County Referral Hospital, seven sub-county hospitals, three health centres and two dispensaries.

Makueni becomes the first county in the country to pilot the Multiple Micronutrient Supplements programme with support from a consortium comprising Vitamin Angels, IDE and Helen Keller International.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony attended by healthcare workers and members of the public at the Mother and Child Hospital, Governor Mutula highlighted the case of a baby born weighing 800 grams about 50 days ago, who has since gained weight to one kilogram.

The governor described the pain mothers endure while caring for premature babies in hospital as unimaginable, saying the introduction of the supplements would help address prematurity and other complications associated with preterm births.

He noted that the programme would ease the burden on families, as expectant mothers receiving the supplements are likely to deliver healthier babies, reducing the cost of treatment for malnourished children.

Governor Mutula added that teenage mothers, who are among the groups most affected by preterm deliveries, also stand to benefit from the intervention.

The governor further highlighted several healthcare interventions his administration has introduced to address life-threatening conditions, including the use of heat-stable carbetocin medication to prevent excessive bleeding among women after delivery.

He also noted that Makueni County Referral Hospital is now treating hydrocephalus, a condition in which babies are born with excess fluid in the brain.

Previously, patients had to seek treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital, but through a specialised clinic established by the county and the employment of a neurosurgeon, treatment is now available within Makueni.

Governor Mutula said his administration remains committed to improving healthcare services and pledged to continue working with development partners to advance the county’s development agenda.

GOVERNOR MUTULA SIGNS DEAL TO EXPAND NUTRITION SERVICES IN MAKUENI.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vitamin Angels Founder Howard B. Schiffer on behalf of the people of Makueni County, in a move aimed at strengthening maternal and child nutrition services.

The partnership seeks to accelerate access to essential nutrition services for underserved pregnant women, infants, and children across the county.

Before the signing ceremony, the Vitamin Angels delegation paid a courtesy call on the governor. The team included the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ana Cespedes, among other officials.

The delegation is also in Makueni to flag off a consignment of multiple micronutrient supplements that will benefit pregnant women in the county.