Office of the Governor

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has announced that his administration will increase annual budgetary allocations to strengthen the Huduma Mashinani Program, an initiative aimed at bringing government services closer to the grassroots.

Speaking on Thursday while hosting Huduma Kenya Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Chilumo to review the implementation of the program in Makueni, Governor Mutula termed the initiative a game changer that has revolutionized the delivery of government services.

So far, 63,000 residents across 23 wards have benefited from the program, accessing 23 different services such as birth and death certificates, SHA registration, groups registration, IEBC voter registration, driving licences, civil marriage registration, and certificates of good conduct, among others.

Mr. Chilumo pledged continued support for the county government, including the establishment of dedicated Huduma Kenya service desks within county government installations, where the requisite facilities will be provided to facilitate service delivery.

County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu reaffirmed Governor Mutula’s call for increased budgetary support, noting that the program has saved residents the cost and inconvenience of traveling long distances to access government services.

The Safaricom team paid a courtesy call on Makueni County as part of efforts to better understand customer needs and network coverage gaps in the region. The team, led by Mark Oyier, Head of Department for Business Support Systems, sought to gain first-hand insights into service delivery and connectivity challenges within the county.

The Makueni County Deputy Governor hosted the delegation and expressed appreciation to Safaricom for its continued support and collaboration in improving the lives of Makueni residents. The Deputy Governor highlighted the company’s partnerships with the county in key sectors including health, water, and trade.

Makueni County Public Service Board has been fully constituted after three newly appointed members took the oath of office in a ceremony marked by a strong call for integrity and protection of workers’ welfare.

Josephine Mbena Mwau, Zebedee Mwandi and Deborah Mutheu Kyalo were sworn in for a six-year term in an exercise conducted by the county attorney and witnessed by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and his deputy, Lucy Mulili.

Mutula challenged the board to uphold integrity and stamp out malpractice within the county workforce, warning that no employee should take shortcuts under its watch.

He directed the now fully constituted board to prioritise staff welfare, describing human resources as Makueni’s greatest asset and a key driver of the county’s social and economic transformation.

The governor further called for swift implementation of a clear rewards and sanctions framework to recognise hardworking employees while enforcing accountability.

Deputy Governor Mulili urged the board to entrench professionalism and remain sensitive to both county development goals and staff growth.

In a bid to streamline poverty alleviation efforts, the Makueni County Government in 2025 launched the Ultra-Poor Graduation Policy to promote socio-economic empowerment and sustainable development.

Against this backdrop, the county has opened its doors to development partners to support vulnerable households in transitioning from extreme social and financial exclusion to self-sufficient participation in the economy.

One such initiative is the Survival Intervention Programme, spearheaded by Compassion International in collaboration with the Baptist Church in the Kathyaka area, Kikumbulyu Ward.

The programme supports pregnant women by providing maternal healthcare from pregnancy through delivery, and continues to offer educational support to their children until completion of their studies.

In addition, the organisation is implementing complementary programmes aimed at improving livelihoods, including smart agriculture for food security, apiary farming, and family planning services.

Speaking during the launch of the Survival Intervention Programme, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who was the chief guest, commended development partners for walking alongside the county in ensuring residents access essential services.

She further highlighted key development projects implemented under Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s administration, among them the Athi Tunguni Water Project, which serves Kikumbulyu North, Makindu, and Nguumo wards.

Kenya Prisons Service Commissioner General Patrick Arunduh Monday paid a courtesy call on Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., with the two leaders agreeing to strengthen collaboration to address critical challenges facing Makueni Prison Facilities—chief among them water scarcity.

During the meeting, Commissioner General Arunduh underscored the need for closer synergy between national and county governments, noting that both levels of governance serve the same citizens and must work together to deliver lasting solutions.

In a key commitment, Governor Mutula pledged county support for the sinking of a borehole at Makueni Main Prison, a move expected to ease water shortages at the facility while also benefiting the surrounding community.

Beyond water, the Kenya Prisons Service team pledged to deepen cooperation with the county by deploying its technical experts to support vocational training programs, strengthening rehabilitation and skills development for inmates.

Makueni County has been admitted into the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC), becoming the fifth county in Kenya to join the prestigious network after Nairobi, Kilifi, Garissa and Laikipia. The milestone is set to strengthen education, skills development and lifelong learning across the county.

The GNLC, launched by UNESCO in 2013, brings together over 350 learning cities and local governments in more than 75 countries worldwide, promoting lifelong learning as a driver of sustainable development. Membership connects Makueni to a global community that shares best practices in education policy, vocational training, digital learning and community-based education.

Speaking at UNESCO offices in Nairobi, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. said the recognition will enhance Makueni’s global profile, attract partnerships and strengthen ongoing investments in education, culture, natural sciences, social and human sciences, among others.

Secretary General Dr. James Njogu said the admission affirms the County’s strong commitment to inclusive and lifelong learning noting that joining the GNLC will open new opportunities for knowledge exchange.

Makueni County on Wednesday hosted the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) on a courtesy call ahead of a public participation forum on a proposed law that seeks to make accreditation mandatory in Kenya.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili received the delegation, led by Doris Mueni Mengo, Manager for Medical Laboratories Accreditation at KENAS. The team will conduct a public participation exercise in Wote on Thursday as part of consultations on the proposed KENAS Bill.

The Bill proposes to require laboratories, inspection bodies and certification agencies to obtain accreditation in line with internationally recognised standards, strengthening quality assurance, public safety and access to international markets.

The County expressed interest in deepening collaboration with KENAS, particularly in accrediting public health laboratories and agricultural value chains as it would improve the quality and credibility of diagnostic services in its health facilities and enhance competitiveness of its agricultural produce.

Mulili said the process would help ensure that Makueni products, such as mangoes and other horticultural produce, meet international market requirements.

KENAS is the national body mandated to provide accreditation services in Kenya and is a signatory to international mutual recognition arrangements, which allow accredited institutions in Kenya to have their results accepted globally.

Makueni County has ushered in a new Public Service Board following the expiry of the constitutional mandate of the previous board.

On Thursday, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. witnessed the swearing-in of new board members during a ceremony held in Wote, marking the installation of the third Makueni County Public Service Board since the county’s establishment.

During the event, Benjamin Kasamba Kioko took the oath of office as the new Chairperson of the Makueni County Public Service Board, taking over from the outgoing chairperson whose term had lapsed. Distinguished auditor Silvestor Ngei Kiini was also sworn in as a member of the board.

The appointments followed a rigorous vetting exercise by the Makueni County Assembly.

Addressing county employees during the ceremony, Governor Mutula cautioned staff to exercise responsibility when using tools and machinery in the course of their duties. He warned that his administration would not tolerate carelessness, particularly where public equipment meant to serve residents is damaged through negligence.

The governor further challenged the newly sworn-in board and as well as human resource managers to consider rewarding exemplary employees who demonstrate outstanding performance and commitment to duty. He emphasized that public service remains the engine of transformation in Makueni County.