Office of the Governor

A high-level delegation from Zimbabwe’s African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is in Makueni County for a benchmarking visit aimed at drawing valuable lessons from Kenya’s progress in governance, citizen engagement, and implementation of National Plan of Action (NPoA) recommendations.

The APRM is a voluntary self-monitoring instrument established by the African Union to promote good governance and inclusive development. Through NEPAD/APRM in partnership with the Council of Governors, Kenya has domesticated the mechanism at the county level, birthing the County Peer Review Mechanism (CPRM).

The CPRM serves as a powerful tool for counties to assess their governance systems and service delivery performance. It enables documentation of key milestones, identification of challenges, and sharing of best practices—fostering accountability and peer learning across counties.

Zimbabwe’s visit seeks to gather insights from Kenya’s pioneering experience in the APRM review process. Makueni, in particular, stands out as one of the 12 counties that volunteered to participate in the inaugural CPRM rollout, showcasing notable reforms and innovations in governance.

The delegation is led by Ambassador James Manzou, Chair of the National Governing Council of APRM Zimbabwe. The team is expected to gather practical knowledge and policy learnings that will inform their own national and sub-national review frameworks.

Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili welcomed the delegation, reaffirming the county’s commitment to continuous improvement in governance and service delivery.

Chief officer Planning, Budget and Revenue Boniface Mutua noted the county’s initiatives, such as full automation and a cashless revenue collection system, as key innovations driving transparency and efficiency in local resource mobilization.

The team also commended Makueni’s robust public participation model, which actively involves citizens in shaping development priorities and decision-making processes.

When learners from Unoa Comprehensive Primary School return for the third term on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, they will walk into a school with free-flowing water for personal use, tree planting, and kitchen gardening.

This is thanks to a borehole drilled within the school compound by the Office of Kenya’s First Lady, Rachael Ruto. The borehole was a pledge made by Mrs. Ruto during the commemoration of the International Day of the African Child, held at the school on June 16, 2025.

The First Lady, who officially launched the drilling on Wednesday, noted that the project will significantly enhance sanitation, boost food security through kitchen gardening, and improve overall academic performance. The neighboring community is also set to benefit, with the initiative expected to ease water access for Wote residents.

During the launch, the First Lady was accompanied by Makueni County First Lady Anita Mutula and other local leaders

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Tuesday distributed 72 water tanks, each with a capacity of 10,000 litres, to support the last mile water connectivity program in Nzaui/Kilili/Kalamba Ward.

The tanks will be allocated to 23 water schemes to enhance the county’s water distribution agenda, one of Governor Mutula’s top priorities, ensuring up to 90 percent water coverage in the ward.

The targeted schemes include: Isololo, Ng’oi, Kweleli, Kwa Wambua, Kwa Moto, Mandela, Kalima Kalato, Mulenyu, Mbilani, Kawala, Kilinga, Kisinzi, Mwanyani, Ithimani, Yanthooko, Malooni Demonstration Centre, Nduumonithi, Wikwatyo Ikangavya, Kyamusoi, Kikui, Kwa Mbiti, and Kaiani.

Governor Mutula also announced that a borehole will be drilled within the Matiliku Sub-county Hospital compound using the county’s drilling rig to guarantee a reliable water supply to the health facility.

The 72 tanks will ensure 15,000 residents of the ward have access to clean and reliable water.

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).