Office of the Governor

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr used the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations in Mukuyuni as a rallying call to defend devolution and highlight the county’s progress, despite facing severe budget cuts and delayed national disbursements.

Addressing hundreds of residents, Governor Mutula decried the shrinking County Allocation of Revenue, which saw Makueni lose Ksh. 265 million in the 2024/2025 financial year. He expressed concern over stalled devolution, warning that counties cannot function effectively when funds are either delayed or drastically reduced.

“Devolution is not a favour. It is a right enshrined in our Constitution. We will not sit back and watch our progress reversed,” he stated passionately.

Despite these financial hurdles, the governor gave a hopeful picture of transformation in the county by announcing plan to work with a development partner to construct the Kiia Nzou Dam, aiming to tackle water scarcity in the County. He also praised the progress made under the FLLoCA program, which links water access with farming and environmental protection.

Mutula noted that despite severe water shortages and prolonged droughts, his administration had made significant strides in water access through projects like the AKWASH initiative—where five boreholes have been drilled in partnership with World Vision Kenya—and other collaborations with Water Mission and WHH. “Over Kshs. 403 million has been allocated for last-mile water connectivity to ensure households and villages gain direct access to clean water,” said the governor.

Governor Mutula highlighted that mango farmers were now earning higher returns, with prices increasing from Ksh 18 to Ksh 25 per kilogram due to enhanced market access. This improvement follows the establishment of the Makueni Horticultural Pack House, which facilitated exports valued at Ksh. 25million. To further empower farmers, the governor said 210 agripreneurs had been deployed across all Wards to provide extension services, aiming to enhance productivity, increase incomes, and create jobs in the agriculture sector.

“Land injustices in Makueni will be addressed through expanded Legal Aid Clinics and targeted support for succession and title deed processing,” Mutula also highlighted that the new Land Integrated Management System (LIM) will enable residents to access land services and documents online, effectively reducing bureaucracy.

In his speech, the governor highlighted a significant progress in improving Makueni’s trading environment through the establishment of over 50 market committees that ensure order and promote economic participation. He promised that his administration was committed to facilitating election and training of market committees in all remaining markets to foster development.

The governor’s speech cited major progress in infrastructure development, particularly in water projects, with completion of mega projects like Ndukuma Dam rehabilitation and Mulima Water Purification Plant. He stated that his administration was committed to drilling more boreholes and improving last-mile water connectivity in every ward. He also noted that the partnership with the National Youth Service is intended to fast-track infrastructure projects, moreso roads, while keeping costs low.

Mutula further reaffirmed his commitment to achieving universal access to affordable, quality healthcare for all Makueni residents. “With over 270,000 people already enrolled under the Social Health Agency, the County will roll out “Mutula Care” in FY 2025/26 to further reduce out-of-pocket expenses and ensure health services reach every household,” said Mutula.

He further emphasized the transformative role of international partnerships in accelerating access to clean water, healthcare and agricultural productivity, citing collaborations with organizations like World Vision, Water Mission and the Mpesa Foundation. Mutula affirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding such partnerships to deliver long-term solutions and unlock greater opportunities for the people of Makueni.

The Governor who was accompanied by his deputy H.E DG-Makueni Lucy Mulili thanked the people for their dedication and pledged prudent use of resources to deliver meaningful development outcomes.

The celebrations began with a morning church service at AIC Mukuyuni and were attended by several dignitaries, including Makueni County Commissioner Duncan Darusi, area MP Joshua Kimilu, MCAs Jonathan Muthoka (Ilima), Eng. Ndolo Kimunyi (Ukia) and Ulbanus Manzu (Kee), along with a number of county security and administration officers.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr appeared before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee on Friday afternoon to respond to the Auditor-General’s report for the 2023/24 financial year.

The meeting was held to ensure all concerns raised in the report are addressed and public funds are properly accounted for.

Governor Mutula assured the committee that his administration is committed to clearing pending bills amounting to Ksh. 151 million. He also revealed that Makueni has made impressive progress in raising its own revenue — growing from Ksh. 849 million to over a billion shillings.

Officers from the Auditor-General’s office, who were present, noted that the county has shown improved financial discipline.

The governor further shared his administration’s focus on putting more resources into value chain development — a move he believes will boost social and economic empowerment for local residents.

The Senate committee led by Vice Chair and Taita Taveta Senator Johnes Mwaruma, praised Makueni as a success story of devolution.

Senators Okog’o Omogeni (Nyamira) and Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi) echoed the praise, applauding Governor Mutula for development initiatives that bring real change to people’s lives.

Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo highlighted Makueni’s model of public participation in budgeting, saying it promotes community ownership of projects. Senators also got a look at Makueni’s online project monitoring system, which allows residents to track government projects in real-time.

Further, governor Mutula urged the Senate committee to anchor the Council of Governors in law, emphasizing that formalizing its status would enhance its effectiveness as a key devolution liaison body; sentiments that were supported by Senator Omogeni.

The session was also attended by Tharaka Nithi Senator Mwenda Gataya Mo’Fire and Makueni’s counterpart Daniel Maanzo with CECMs Damaris Kavoi (Finance), Joyce Mutua (Agriculture), Eng. John Kieti (Water), and MCAs Jonathan Kimongo (Mavindini) and Cosmas Mutunga (Emali/Mulala).

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday hosted Jeffrey Lehrer, the Acting Deputy Mission Director of USAID-Kenya and East Africa, to review the status of USAID-funded projects and develop a transition plan. This follows withdrawal of funding for such projects by the United States Government.

The meeting aimed to strategize the handover process, ensuring the county government can complete pending key projects, such as the Kamunyolo water project, which is expected to improve water supply in Wote Town—increasing reticulation time from 45 minutes to 7 hours per day.

Governor Mutula emphasized the need to expedite the transition process and pledged to allocate resources to finalize the stalled projects.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Saturday participated in the Family Search International Archives Symposium held at the HYATT Regency Hotel in Nairobi. The event brought together professionals and leaders in records preservation and archiving from across the continent.

The symposium focused on addressing common challenges faced by African record custodians and archivists, while also providing a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Hosted by Elder Kelvin Hamilton, Executive Director at Family Search International, the symposium emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage under the theme “Connecting the Past to the Future.”

Family Search International is a globally recognized leader in genealogy and records preservation, committed to helping millions around the world discover their heritage and connect with their families.

Makueni County is hosting Chief Officers in charge of Devolution and Citizen Engagement from 26 counties across Kenya, along with their directors, for a peer-to-peer learning forum on the establishment and operationalization of Project Management Committees (PMCs).

Speaking during the event, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili emphasized the power of community involvement in development planning adding that across the county , residents are actively involved in deciding how development funds will be utilized during the financial year.

Mulili further explained that at the close of each financial year, communities evaluate the outcomes, demand accountability, and make new proposals for the following cycle.

PMCs, she said, oversee the implementation of projects in line with the Bills of Quantities and also sign off on minutes that authorize contractor payments.

Counties represented in the forum include Nairobi, Mombasa, Homa Bay, Kirinyaga, among others.

The Deputy Governor was flanked by Nicholas Nzioka, CECM for Devolution, and other senior county officials during the forum.