Departments

MAKUENI STRENGTHENS MANGO MARKET LINKAGES TO BOOST FARMER INCOMES

With an annual mango productionl estimated at over 200 million Kilograms, the Department of Agriculture is intensifying efforts to ensure farmers gain better returns from their produce.

On Friday, the Department of Agriculture hosted Ward Administrators from across the county to discuss practical approaches to improving mango offtake and market access.

During the forum, it emerged that the Makueni County Fruit Development and Marketing Authority (MCFDMA) has been allocated 860 metric tonnes for purchase this season, with more than 700 metric tonnes already off taken.

While attending the meeting, Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli emphasized the importance of organized farmer groups, noting that exporters and processors largely source mangoes through cooperatives.

Further, administrators were urged to mobilize farmers into joining cooperatives within their wards and actively link them to buyers.

The forum, attended by Governor’s Political Advisor Nzioki King’ola, Chief Officers Dr. Victoria Kyalo (Agriculture), Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani (Trade) and Japheth Kiminza (Livestock), and MCFDMA CEO Joseph Kioko, aimed at strengthening coordinated marketing to empower farmers and enhance household incomes.

PARTNERSHIPS DRIVING MATERNAL HEALTH GAINS IN MAKUENI

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has commended the Safaricom Foundation for its heavy investment in maternal and child health in Makueni County, saying the support demonstrates a strong commitment to saving lives and strengthening local healthcare systems.

Speaking during the commissioning of the county’s second-largest Mother and Child Unit, Governor Mutula said the partnership will ensure mothers receive skilled, dignified and quality healthcare services close to their homes.

He noted that the new facility is expected to significantly reduce maternal and neonatal deaths, cut down unnecessary referrals, and provide a safe and supportive environment for childbirth.

The Governor reaffirmed that his administration will continue to prioritize healthcare through sustained investment in modern infrastructure, essential medical equipment and competent human resources.

Safaricom Foundation Chairman Joseph Ogutu revealed that Makueni has benefited from more than 100 development projects over the 20 years of partnership between the Foundation, counties and other institutions.

He added that boosting maternal healthcare remains a top priority for Safaricom Foundation, noting that Kibwezi East Sub County Hospital is set to benefit from a similar intervention.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili echoed the Governor’s sentiments, saying development partners are drawn to regions with strong and credible leadership.

Among those who also flanked the governor are MCAs from the health Committee, County Assembly clerk Kevin Mutuku,CECMs Joyce Mutua{ Health}, Damaris Kavoi { Finance}, Japheth Mang’oka{ Education} Chief Officers Dr. Harvey Mulei { Health Human resource, Management & Administration} Eng.Naomi Nthambi {Ag. CO Health Services} Eng. David Makau { Water}, Felistus Mutune { Office of the Governor} Irene Makau Mwilu {Education } among other county staff

NEW SULTAN HAMUD MATERNITY WING TO EASE CONGESTION, IMPROVE MATERNAL CARE

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and the Safaricom Foundation chairman Joseph Ogutu on Friday officially commissioned the Sultan Hamud Mother and Child Wing in a ceremony attended by Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili , the county Assembly Health Committee,County assembly clerk Hon Ken Mutuku and members of the public.

The new 50-bed facility, now the second largest maternity unit in the County, marks a major boost for maternal and newborn care in the region. It replaces an overstretched 12-bed maternity wing that served patients from Makueni, Machakos and Kajiado counties.

According to Sultan Hamud Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Stephen Mwangangi, congestion in the old unit forced mothers to share a single bed with their newborns.

Despite these challenges, the hospital recorded 168 successful deliveries in December last year alone, underscoring the urgent need for expanded maternity services.

The facility is a result of a partnership between the Makueni County Government and the Safaricom Foundation, reflecting a shared commitment to improving healthcare outcomes.

The project aligns with the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023–2027, which prioritizes donor coordination and the co-creation of community-driven projects to build a resilient local economy.

MAKUENI SET TO ROLL OUT MOBILE-BASED AGROECOLOGY SOIL HEALTH PROGRAMME

The Makueni County Department of Agriculture on Thursday convened a forum to roll out the KCEP CRAL SOIL/ILSA programme aimed at enhancing soil health and promoting agroecology through mobile-based access to farm inputs.

The three-year initiative, set to run from 2026 to 2028, brings together county administration officials, agricultural officers, agro-dealers, agroecology service providers, and KALRO. The programme will initially be implemented in three sub-counties, with Sub-County and Ward Agricultural Officers playing a key role in its rollout.

Supported by the European Union, the programme builds on Makueni County’s strong performance during the first phase of KCEP-CRAL. It targets 2,700 farmers for agroecology e-voucher inputs, while an additional 6,500 farmers will benefit from agroecology training. The initiative seeks to increase farm productivity, expand access to subsidized inputs, strengthen county agroecology systems, and improve food and nutrition security.

Speaking during the forum, CECM for Agriculture Elizabeth Muli said the initiative demonstrates the county government’s commitment to improving soil health, promoting sustainable agroecology practices, and empowering farmers through innovative, mobile-based input access.

On his part, KCEP-CRAL Eastern Region Coordinator Patrick Hinga said Makueni’s exemplary performance in earlier programme phases informed its selection, noting that the initiative will enhance farmer resilience, scale up agroecology adoption, and strengthen institutional capacity within the county.

BOOST FOR MATERNAL CARE AS SULTAN HAMUD GETS 50-BED MOTHER AND CHILD UNIT

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. is set to commission the Sultan Hamud Mother and Child Wing at Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital on Friday.

The 50-bed maternity unit & the second largest mother-and-child facility in the county after the Makueni Mother and Child Hospital, is equipped with an in-built operating theatre, a newborn unit and a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

The facility also features a labour ward with three delivery beds, enabling three women to deliver simultaneously. In addition, it includes prenatal and postnatal wards, a post-caesarean section ward, a gynaecology ward and a Kangaroo Mother Care unit.

On the same day, the Department of Health Services has organised a free medical camp that will offer outpatient services, screening for non-communicable diseases, cervical cancer screening and other essential health services.

The Mother and Child Hospital Unit is a partnership between the M-Pesa Foundation and the Makueni County Government. In December alone, 168 mothers delivered at Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital. Despite limited space, medical staff successfully managed the mothers and their newborns with care.

TAKING AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION FROM POLICY TO THE FIELD

In the face of unpredictable climate patterns affecting Makueni County, KALRO Kiboko and the Cereal Growers Association CGA) brought regulators, scientists and academia together to witness how science can strengthen food security.

The Wednesday high-level stakeholder engagement focused on Trecepta, a biotechnology jointly developed by KALRO and Bayer Crop Science to protect maize from above-ground insect pests while controlling weeds.

The forum, dubbed “Stawisha Mazao: A Tale of Two Harvests,” followed a Science Meets Policy Roundtable and featured an immersive field visit to a smallholder farmer’s plot and the KALRO Kiboko Confined Field Trial site.

Participants compared the realities farmers face when access to technology is delayed against the proven benefits of science-led innovation. The visit concluded with an on-site dialogue bringing together farmers, researchers, policymakers, regulators, and the media.

Attending the forum, Agriculture CECM Liz Muli said modern agricultural technologies are critical in lowering production costs and building farmer resilience amid climate stress.

KALRO Biotechnology Research Institute Director Dr. Martin Mwirigi emphasized that Trecepta combines proven traits to offer comprehensive protection, helping farmers achieve better yields sustainably.

The engagement marked a deliberate shift from boardroom discussions to field-based evidence, strengthening fact-driven dialogue on agricultural biotechnology in Kenya.

SENATORS PRAISE MAKUENI WATER REFORMS

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Tuesday appeared before the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, where he outlined reforms aimed at improving water management and reducing non-revenue water in the county.

The governor said the county has embraced automation of water systems, smart metering and smart kiosks, alongside rehabilitation of water networks to curb physical and commercial losses.

He told the committee that over Sh300 million has been spent on water projects through partnerships, helping expand access in the water-scarce county.

Governor Mutula also urged the national government to review the use of underground water resources originating from Makueni, noting that the water currently serves Mombasa City while Makueni residents continue to face inadequate water supply. He added that most borehole water in the county is saline and unfit for human consumption.

Chairing the committee, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipsang William Kipkemoi commended the county government for prudent management of count investments especially water resources.

Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo called for the fast-tracking of the stalled Thwake Dam, saying it remains key to addressing Makueni’s water challenges.

MAKUENI LAUNCHES DIGITAL FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE VACCINATION DRIVE

Makueni County has launched a countywide Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination program aimed at controlling outbreaks and improving livestock productivity.

The exercise, officially launched in Makiou, Kilome Sub-County, is being implemented using a digital e-voucher system that registers each head of cattle through a muzzle-based identification process. Farmers will pay a subsidized fee of Ksh. 50 per cow, with all payments conducted online.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who led the launch, said the program is intended to safeguard farmers’ livelihoods by preventing the spread of the highly contagious disease. She urged livestock farmers to participate fully in the exercise and work closely with their cooperatives to ensure timely vaccination.

The vaccination drive will be rolled out across all wards in the county and coordinated through 13 cooperatives and farmer societies to ensure effective coverage and implementation.

County Executive Committee Members Elizabeth Muli (Agriculture) and Nicholas Nzioka (Devolution), as well as members of the County Assembly Agriculture Committee, attended the launch.

The program is expected to significantly reduce FMD outbreaks and improve milk and meat production in Makueni County.

SULTAN RESIDENTS CELEBRATE AS FLOODLIGHTS TRANSFORM MBINDU MARKET

Joy and relief ripple through Sultan as newly installed floodlights light up Masumba Mbindu Market, turning a once-dark and insecure area into a vibrant night hub. Residents say the lights, switched on last week, have significantly improved security and peace of mind.

Local resident Mutua Mutunga says he can now sleep without fear of losing his cattle, a worry that once kept him awake at night. Another resident, Benjamin Wambua, says the transformation is so striking that the market has earned a new name. “It used to be called Masumba ‘Mbindu’, meaning darkness. Now we call it Masumba ‘Kyeni’ Market — the light market,” he said with a smile.

The high-mast, solar-powered lights, an initiative by the Makueni County Government in partnership with REREC through a match-funding model, illuminate a radius of over 100 metres, sparking renewed night-time economic activity.

Residents have lauded the county government, saying the project has directly improved their daily lives. They are now calling for the long-abandoned Mbindu market structure to be operationalized to further boost local economic growth.

Similar initiative has also been undertaken at Utangwa market in Kithungo Kitundu Ward.

KENYA PRISONS SERVICE COMMISSIONER GENERAL PATRICK ARUNDUH MONDAY PAID A COURTESY CALL ON MAKUENI GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR.

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.