Departments

NO MORE DARK NIGHTS IN KITONGU MARKET!

Business owners and patrons of Kitongu Market in Kako/Waia Ward now have a reason to smile after the Department of Energy installed a 20-meter-high mast solar floodlight in the market. Thanks to this initiative, businesses and customers will no longer have to worry about dark nights or security threats after sunset.

In the 2024/2025 Financial Year, the department successfully installed 45 integrated solar market lights across 9 Wards: Thange, Masongaleni, Mtito Andei, Kee, Ilima, Kisau/Kiteta, Kako/Waia, Kathonzweni, and Kitise/Kithuki.

Additionally, 17 grid-powered market floodlights were installed across 7 Wards—Kithungo/Kitundu, Tulimani, Nguumo, Kikumbulyu North, Kitise/Kithuki, Mbitini, and Ukia—further enhancing visibility and security in local markets.

#WauniWaKwikaNesaNaUlungalu

CLEAN WATER AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE BRING NEW HOPE TO MUKAANGE, MASONGALENI WARD

After years of enduring severe water scarcity—trekking over 7 km to the nearest water point—residents of Mukaange location, Masongaleni Ward, finally have reason to smile.

Once forced to drink salty borehole water, and contaminated water from River Athi, the community now enjoys safe, purified water thanks to a reverse osmosis plant that removes salinity and impurities.

Muliluni-Kiambani Water and Livelihood Enhancement project, implemented under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program, has: eliminated long treks for water, reduced crocodile attacks along River Athi, revived honey production through a 50-hive apiary project at Muliluni community forest. A Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) has also enhanced restoration of the community forest.

This project highlights Makueni County’s and Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr commitment to building climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

NDULUKU VTC PARENTS’ DAY SPARKS RENEWED CALL FOR SKILLS‑DRIVEN FUTURE

Parents and guardians of students at Nduluku Vocational Training Centre gathered today for the 2025 Parents’ Day — a vibrant celebration of talent, skills, and progress in vocational training.

The colorful event was graced by CECM for ICT, Education and Internship, Elizabeth Muli, alongside Chief Officer Irene Makau, area MCA Hon. Dennis Musyoka and members of the institution’s board.

Families witnessed first‑hand the impact of hands‑on learning, as students showcased their abilities in trades like fashion design, carpentry, beauty therapy, and electrical installation.

In line with the Governor’s manifesto to expand access to quality skills training and uplift the youth, the County Government has partnered with the KCB Foundation through the 2Jiajiri program.

This collaboration has enabled 900 students to join 15 institutions across the county, strengthening access to quality, skills‑based education and reinforcing the county’s commitment to nurturing a generation of highly skilled youth.

Notably, Nduluku VTC emerged as the biggest beneficiary of this initiative, enrolling 159 students — the highest number across all participating institutions — cementing its role as a beacon of vocational training and a catalyst for a more skilled and resilient future.

MAKUENI EMPOWERS 65 YOUTH IN KILUNGU WITH FREE DRIVING TRAINING AND LICENSES

Makueni County has launched a one-month intensive motor vehicle training program for 65 young people from Kilungu Ward, conducted by Mumbuni Engineering & Driving School. Upon completion, participants will be licensed as fully qualified drivers.

The initiative, led by the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, seeks to enhance youth employability, improve road safety, and advance inclusivity under Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s empowerment agenda.

On Wednesday, County Executive Committee Member Eng. Sebastian Kyoni flagged off the program in a ceremony attended by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Salama Traffic Base Commander, and Kilungu Ward MCA Joseph Mbindyo.

The 65 trainees are part of a larger cohort of 289 youth to benefit from the county-sponsored driving training and licensing program in the 2024/2025 Financial Year.

GOVERNOR MUTULA SIGNS PARTNERSHIP TO STRENGTHEN WATER SECTOR GOVERNANCE

In an effort to entrench good governance in the water sector, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has signed a partnership agreement with a consortium of non-state actors operating in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) space.

The partners to this agreement include:

• Centre for Social Planning and Administrative Development (CESPAD),

• Kenya Water and Sanitation Civil Society Network (KEWASNET),

• Kenya Water for Health Organization (KWAHO), and

• Neighbours Initiative Alliance (NIA).

The partnership aims to:

• Jointly mobilize resources (technical and financial) to improve water service delivery, and;

• Strengthen and enhance coordination among stakeholders in implementing climate-resilient WASH programs.

Additionally, Governor Mutula hosted a delegation from the Uganda Water and Sanitation NGO Network (UWASNET), which is visiting Kenya to learn from regional best practices in community-led water development and governance.

GOVERNOR MUTULA UNVEILS MAKUENI’S FIRST COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITALS STRATEGIC PLAN

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Wednesday launched the county’s first-ever Referral Hospital Strategic Plan (2025–2030), marking a major milestone in the region’s journey toward delivering quality, inclusive, and specialized healthcare.

The ambitious six-year plan is anchored on four key pillars: quality and specialized health services, robust systems and skilled personnel, smart infrastructure and technology, and patient-centered care that leaves no one behind.

Speaking during the launch, Governor Mutula emphasized that the strategy is structured around the balanced scorecard approach, aligning internal processes, financial stewardship, and institutional capacity with the ultimate goal of improving patient satisfaction.

According to him,the Referral hospital has already made strides with the recent investment in minimal access surgery following the commissioning of a laparoscopic tower. The governor added that the hospital has also introduced new specialized services such as hemato-pathology and neurosurgery, with plans to expand these into centres of excellence within the next five years.

Governor Mutula was joined at the event by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Health Services CECM Dr. Paul Musila,his Lands counterpart CECM Japheth Mang’oka, and several Members of the County Assembly including Jackson Mbalu, Elizabeth Muthike, and Felix Mateso. Also present was the CEO of Makueni County Referral Hospital, Martha Munyao, alongside other senior county officials.

DESTINATION MAKUENI: A DIGITAL GATEWAY TO EXPLORE AND EMPOWER.

The Tourism Directorate is undertaking a four-day- sensitization forum for local hoteliers, business operators, vendors and transport service providers to enlighten them on how to onboard their products and services onto Destination Makueni.

Destination Makueni is an online platform developed as part of efforts to digitize tourism promotion and bridge the information gap for both visitors and local operators.

In recognizing the Makueni county’s vast tourism potential and the need for a unified online presence, the Directorate partnered with stakeholders to build a platform that supports local businesses, markets Makueni’s unique attractions and encourages sustainable economic growth through tourism.

The platform is designed to make it easy for nature enthusiasts and tourists to discover the county’s hidden gems, hospitality facilities, service providers and local vendors right from their phones or computers at a glance.

The sensitization forums, which kicked off in Mbooni on Monday and continued in Kilome on Tuesday, aim to cover all six sub-counties. Interested hoteliers and tourism service providers are getting the opportunity to onboard their products and services on the platform, complete with detailed pricing information.

This platform offers up-to-date information on hospitality facilities and tourism service providers, ensuring visitors plan their stay with ease.

By giving local hotels, lodges, tour guides and other tourism businesses a digital marketing space, Destination Makueni aims to boost their visibility, attract more guests and drive economic empowerment for communities that rely on tourism for their livelihoods.

www.destinationmakueni.com

NYERI TAPS MAKUENI’S ICT INNOVATIONS TO BOOST SERVICE DELIVERY

Nyeri County is looking to adopt cutting-edge digital systems from Makueni County in a bid to streamline operations and improve service delivery.

A delegation from Nyeri, led by the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education, Training and Devolution, Margaret Macharia, and the Director of ICT, Felix Muriuki, is in Makueni for a week-long benchmarking visit focused on ICT integration, innovation, and education systems.

The team was officially received by Makueni Deputy Governor H.E. Lucy Mulili at her Wote office, where they were welcomed by CECM for ICT, Education and Internship Elizabeth Muli, Chief Officer Irene Makau, and County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa, among other county officials.

The benchmarking tour centres on Makueni’s Project Management and Tracking System (PMTS)—a homegrown digital solution that enhances transparency, accountability, and real-time monitoring of development projects—as well as the Education Management Information System (EMIS), which has been instrumental in streamlining operations across vocational training institutions.

The delegation kicked off their field visits at Nziu Vocational Training Centre, a flagship institution showcasing the county’s successful integration of ICT in practical skills training. Here, they interacted with trainers and students to gain insights into how digital tools are being used to empower youth and support technical education.

Speaking during the visit, CECM Margaret Macharia commended Makueni’s innovative approach to public service delivery, noting that the lessons drawn from the visit would inform Nyeri’s journey towards a more digitally enabled county government.

The benchmarking tour underlines Nyeri County’s strategic commitment to embracing ICT solutions to improve efficiency, promote transparency, and drive inclusive development.

MAKUENI HOSTS STREET CHILDREN FOOTBALL COMPETITION AHEAD OF DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD CELEBRATIONS

Makueni County on Saturday held a special football tournament for street children at Emali, aiming to connect with them and understand their background, needs, skills and areas of intervention towards their life and livelihood improvement.

Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services Executive Committee Member Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, who flagged off the tournament, stated that the competition serves as a mobilization tool to help get children off the streets.

With support from Social Development and Children Officers, the department will engage with the children to create individualized care plans, including family reintegration where possible.

Children without family support will be rehabilitated at the Makueni Children Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre.

The event was also part of activities leading up to the Day of the African Child to be held on Monday 16th June at Unoa Grounds in Wote.

Makueni is set to host the national celebrations for the Day of the African Child, highlighting efforts to protect and uplift vulnerable children.

According to Kyoni, the initiative aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr vision of social inclusion, promoting equity and equality for all Makueni residents.

NEW TOURISM GEM UNVEILED AT MBUI NZAU HILL AS HUNDREDS HIKE TO CELEBRATE

In a push to spotlight local tourism and ecological conservation, Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Saturday presided over the launch of a new Ecosystem Tourism Center at Mbui Nzau Hill,an iconic natural landmark now poised to become a magnet for both adventurers and nature enthusiasts.

The scenic launch also transformed into a lively celebration as hundreds of residents and visitors took part in a spirited hike to the hill’s summit, soaking in breathtaking views and reaffirming the area’s potential as a tourist haven.

Mulili lauded the Mbui Nzau community for their dedication to conserving the environment, particularly the springs that flow from the hill and continue to be a vital water source for surrounding households.

Adding to the momentum, County Executive for Tourism Dr. Sonia Nzilani emphasized that the two-day event would culminate in a tree-planting initiative,further rooting the event in sustainable tourism and environmental restoration.