Office of the Governor

GOVERNOR MUTULA, USAID DRAFT TRANSITION PLAN AFTER FUNDING WITHDRAWAL

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.

MAKUENI SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS TO ENHANCE INFRASTRUCTURE QUALITY

Makueni County has entered into a strategic partnership with the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) to address infrastructure challenges and improve public safety.

The agreement, signed on Thursday by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and IEK President Shammar Kiteme, will provide technical support, policy formulation, capacity building, and consulting services to strengthen infrastructure planning, development, and sustainability.

Governor Mutula emphasized that the collaboration is crucial for ensuring compliance with quality standards, enhancing citizen safety, protecting the environment, and promoting long-term economic sustainability.

GOVERNOR MUTULA SUBMITS GBV MEMO AS NATIONAL TASKFORCE HOLDS CONSULTATIONS IN WOTE

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. today hosted the Committee on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide at his office ahead of a high-level public participation forum at Wote Technical Training Institute.

During the meeting, Governor Mutula presented a detailed memorandum to the committee, outlining key recommendations and priority areas for addressing the rising cases of GBV and femicide in the region.

The visit is part of a nationwide series of consultative forums by the Technical Working Group on GBV and Femicide, which was appointed by President William Ruto in January 2025 to collect views from the public and stakeholders.

More than 300 participants from various sectors are attending the Wote forum to share their experiences, perspectives, and proposals aimed at combating the alarming surge in GBV and femicide cases across the country.

Today’s delegation was led by Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo, a member of the 34-member taskforce chaired by Dr. Nancy Baraza. The team is mandated to investigate the root causes of GBV and femicide and recommend actionable policy and legal interventions.

MULILI JOINS RECORDS EXPERTS AT INTERNATIONAL ARCHIVES SYMPOSIUM

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.

GOVERNMENT TO FAST-TRACK WILDLIFE COMPENSATION, SAYS CS MURKOMEN

The national government is set to implement swift compensation measures for individuals affected by human-wildlife conflict, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced.

Speaking during the Jukwaa la Usalama tour of the Lower Eastern Region, CS Murkomen assured residents that those injured or killed by wildlife, as well as those whose property is destroyed, will soon receive faster compensation.

The announcement came in response to growing public concern and appeals from local administrators who attended the forum.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr echoed the call, urging the national government to provide additional support to wildlife officers in the county.

He lauded the officers for their exemplary work in resolving conflicts and maintaining peace in wildlife-prone areas.

Governor Mutula also raised alarm over rising cases of vandalism targeting both county and national development projects.

He singled out Kilome Sub-county as the most affected, revealing that the county had suffered losses amounting to Ksh 55 million due to destruction of public assets.

In response, CS Murkomen pledged tough action against those found culpable, warning that the government would not tolerate criminal sabotage of development initiatives.

To enhance efficiency in crime reporting and response, the CS also announced plans to digitize police Occurrence Books (OBs), allowing citizens to report crimes remotely from any location.

MAKUENI HOSTS 26 COUNTIES FOR PEER LEARNING ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES

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.

KYAMBEKE HEALTH FACILITY UPGRADED TO LEVEL IV IN MAJOR HEALTHCARE BOOST

Kyambeke Health Facility has received a significant upgrade following its official gazettement from a Level III to a Level IV facility.

This milestone was confirmed during Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s development visit in Ilima ward on Tuesday.

As part of the upgrade, the facility has been equipped with a full haemogram machine for the laboratory department to enhance diagnostic services.

The facility is equipped with dedicated wards, offering 11 beds for female patients, 10 for male patients, 6 for maternity care and 2 baby cots, ensuring comprehensive healthcare services.

Additionally, 15 more healthcare staff have been deployed to improve service delivery to the vast surrounding community. The elevation marks a substantial step in improving healthcare services in the region.

Speaking during the visit, Governor Mutula reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritizing healthcare and ensuring improved services for all Makueni residents.

“We, as the County Executive, have agreed with the County Assembly to create a plan in the upcoming budget that will ensure Makueni residents receive quality healthcare,” said Mutula.

During the ward tour, Governor Mutula also handed over six 100-seater tents and 600 plastic chairs to community groups with membership of more than 3,000 members at a public baraza in Kyambeke Market.

The governor was accompanied by County Secretary Dr. Justin Kyambi, CEC Member for Lands Japheth Mang’oka, Majority Leader Kisungi Wa Katete and MCAs Jonathan Muthoka (Ilima), Urbanus Manzu Kee and Special-Elect Magdalene Mulwa.

GOVERNOR MUTULA MEETS SENATE TO SHARE WATER COMPANIES GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Monday afternoon had an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Public Investments and Special Funds chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, at Bunge Towers in Nairobi.

Governor Mutula shared a raft of measures the county government is taking to minimise excessive non-revenue water from as high as 58 percent to allowable levels of not more than 25 percent as prescribed by the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB).

Some of these include:

● Upgrading of old distribution infrastructure such as Mulima dam pipeline (installed in 1984).

● Fastracking drafting and adoption of the debt recovery strategies for all the companies and standard tarrifs.

● Implementing use of digital master meters, smart consumer meters, installing High-Density Polyethylene pipes as well as leakage detectors to reduce physical losses.

He also reiterated the county government’s commitment to improve the management capacity of the boards through training and peer-to-peer learning.

GOVERNOR MUTULA UNVEILS KEY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN KISAU/KITETA WARD

During a development tour of Kisau/Kiteta Ward on Thursday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr unveiled a number of development projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life for residents. Key projects unveiled include:

1. Lung’u Primary School Borehole Water Project: This is expected to provide reliable access to clean water for 720 households in 6 villages within the ward.

2. Solarization and Distribution of Song’eni Water Project: set to ensure sustainable and efficient water distribution to 600 residents at lowered costs.

3. Song’eni Modern ECDE Classes

The governor also handed 12 hundred-seater tents and chairs to organized groups.These tents are intended to support income-generating activities, promoting economic empowerment and social inclusion within the community.

ROAD TO UNIVERSAL WATER ACCESS IN MAKUENI

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr commissions Lung’u Primary School borehole water project at the school grounds in Kiteta/Kisau ward. This project is part of the governor’s ambitious Last Mile Water Connectivity Program, aimed at ensuring reliable access to clean and safe water for all residents.

The solar-powered project will supply clean and safe water for domestic use to 720 households across six villages—Kithongo, Kitile, Itakani, Katitu, Kivani, and Kalimani. In addition to benefiting the local community, the project will provide a sustainable water source for Lung’u Primary and Secondary Schools, addressing long-standing water challenges in the area.

In attendance is Area MCA Darius Mainga and his Tulimani ward counterpart Kyalo Mumo.