Office of the Governor

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.

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.