Departments

MAKUENI COUNTY STEPS UP EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN PRIMARY HEALTHCARE

The Makueni County Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing primary healthcare delivery.

On Wednesday CECM in charge of Health Services Joyce Mutua,led a section of County Health Management team to visit Ivinganzia Dispensary in Mavindini Ward, to assess service gaps and outline strategic interventions.

The county is now moving to introduce a structured framework for deploying relief nurses, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery for the community.

Mutua noted that the department is prioritizing to Ensure facilities operate full-time.

The dispensary currently offers key services such as maternity care, routine clinical consultations, deliveries, and access to essential medicines. More complex cases are referred to Mavindini Level 3 Hospital.

GOVERNOR MUTULA DISTRIBUTES 72 WATER TANKS TO BOOST WATER ACCESS IN NZAUI/KILILI/KALAMBA WARD

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.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. COMMISSIONS UPGRADED MATILIKU SUB-COUNTY HOSPITAL FACILITIES

Residents of Nzaui/Kilili/Kalamba Ward and surrounding areas will now benefit from improved quality, affordable, and reliable healthcare services following the commissioning of a new dental unit, digital X-ray machine, and renovated outpatient unit at Matiliku Sub-county Hospital.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. inaugurated the facilities on Tuesday, reinforcing his commitment to universal healthcare in Makueni County by strengthening medical infrastructure and service delivery.

The upgrades are expected to reduce referral burdens on Makueni County Referral Hospital, ensuring faster and more efficient healthcare access for local communities.

The governor was accompanied by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Makueni County Assembly Speaker Mbilu Douglas, area MCA Francis Mutuku, MCAs Kyalo Mumo (Tulimani), Majority Kisungi wa Katete (Kithungo/Kitundu) and a host of other local leaders.

NLC IN BID TO RESOLVE LAND INJUSTICES

The National Land Commission (NLC) is in Makueni County in an effort to address historical land injustices. NLC Vice Chair, Getrude Nguku, who led a team from Nairobi, told Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. that during their two-day visit in the County, they will look into 14 land cases, verifying documents and also undertake site visits.

Nguku asked parties involved in all historical land injustices in the country to seek mediation for faster resolution of cases.

Governor Mutula cited land injustices, including cases involving Manooni and Mulima dams, as major barriers to development and acces to clean water in the County and requested that such cases be expedited.

He also urged resolution of the delayed Ukai land case affecting the South Eastern Kenya University, SEKU.

Mutula pledged full support to the NLC stressing that justice delayed is justice denied.

County officials present included Lands ECM, Dr. Paul Musila and County Attorney, Stanley Nthiwa. Nguku was accompanied by Head of the Historical Land Injustices Secretariat, Edmond Gichuru and Commissioner Tiyah Galgalo among others.

URBAN LAND USE PLANS – Kathulumbi, Kalawa, Kwakathoka, Thithi, Kiboko and Kayata

Cabinet on Monday approved local, physical and land use plans for 6 towns in Makueni County for submission to the County Assembly.
The plans are for Kathulumbi & Kalawa Towns (Mbooni), Kwa Kathoka (Makueni), Thithi & Kiboko (Kibwezi West) and Kayata in Kilome.
Upon approval by the Assembly, the County Government will embark on surveying and processing of ownership documents.
The detailed maps are shown below:

MAKUENI STIRRING UP CHANGE IN DAIRY FARMING

Makueni County is steadily turning its dairy farming dream into a reality through targeted programs designed to transform the sector into a major income earner and nutrition booster for local households.

During a dairy farmer’s day held at Makiou Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society on Thursday, it was revealed that with the current milk production of about 40 million litres annually in Makueni, the county still imports milk to meet its demand.

However, the county government has turned this gap into an opportunity—rolling out a set of long-term solutions through its Dairy Development Strategy underpinned by four pillars: Improved dairy breeds, Better livestock nutrition, Robust disease management and Modern milk aggregation and marketing systems

During the field day, Agriculture Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza shared how Agriculture Department is taking bold steps to grow the dairy sector from the ground up. Kiminza noted that the county is focused on strengthening the entire dairy value chain to benefit farmers directly.

Among key programs by the county government in place to support this goal include subsidized Artificial Insemination (AI) initiative to help farmers access quality breeds at affordable rates, and the introduction of Makueni Animal Feeds Development Strategy which ensures year-round access to nutritious livestock feed.

In the event that was attended by the Cooperative’s chairperson Paul Wasanga, the Chief Officer noted that the Livestock Department is running a robust vaccination campaign against major dairy diseases, alongside regular farmer training sessions on best dairy practices—making dairy farming both productive and sustainable.

Additionally, the county government has invested heavily in boosting dairy farming by supporting local cooperatives with a good number of the 18 dairy cooperatives spread across the county receiving vital equipment such as milk coolers, pasteurizers, transport vehicles, electricity connections and even mini-processing plants.

Notably, Kikima and Kathonzweni Dairy Cooperatives are among those benefiting from these upgrades.

These improvements are helping farmers handle milk better, maintain quality and earn more from their produce.

As the county celebrated the strides made in dairy farming, it was noted that partnerships with development agencies like the World Bank (through NAVCDP and DRIVE) and FAO have emmensely contributed towards helping scale up feed security and commercialization.

This year’s theme, “Makueni is investing in its farmers, its children’s nutrition, and its future through dairy,” reflects Governor Mutula’s commitment to improving lives by ensuring food security, growing household incomes, empowering communities and promoting agro-industrial growth across the county.

The CO urged dairy farmers to step up and showcase their achievements at the upcoming Makueni Agricultural Show in early August.

MARIA SALUS INFIRMORUM HEALTH FACILITY UNVEILED IN KILOME

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Thursday joined Wiper party leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and other leaders at Kiongwani in Kilome Sub-county for the official unveiling of the Maria Salus Infirmorum Health Facility.

The facility has been established through the efforts of donors in Spain.

The facility will now join the network of county health facilities providing essential services to the people of Makueni.

The launch aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s commitment to strengthening universal health coverage and promoting medical tourism across the county.

Deputy Governor Mulili emphasized the importance of care networks that integrate private and public health services under the World Health Organization framework, noting significant improvements in the county’s health system.

She also acknowledged the development-oriented leadership of the Wiper party leader and extended her best wishes as he eyes the presidency in the upcoming general elections.

Also in attendance was the CECM in charge of Devolution Nickolas Nzioka, Chief Officers Health Services Dr.Harvey Mulei and Felistus Mutune Office of the Governor.

MAKUENI CONFIRMS 216 CONTRACT HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO PERMANENT TERMS

The Makueni County Government has confirmed 216 healthcare workers, who had served on contract for more than three years, to permanent and pensionable terms.

The confirmation letters were issued on Wednesday by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. during a ceremony held at the Mother and Child Hospital.

The newly confirmed staff include 50 nurses, 24 registered clinical officers, 18 medical laboratory technologists, 12 pharmaceutical technologists, 11 psychological counsellors, and 4 emergency medical technicians, among other essential health professionals.

The governor emphasized his administration’s commitment to strengthening the county’s health system by investing in the welfare of health workers.

As part of this commitment, 917 employees across various cadres have already been promoted after years of stagnation in the same job groups.

Further, 56 doctors, including six consultants, were elevated to Job Group R, while three senior consultants were promoted to Job Group S in recognition of their critical contributions.

In a major boost to specialized care, the county has also hired its first neurosurgeon, who is now stationed at the Makueni County Referral Hospital.

The Governor acknowledged the challenges faced by healthcare personnel working on contract terms, including job insecurity, disparities in remuneration, limited access to training opportunities, and difficulties in obtaining credit facilities despite being expected to deliver at par with their permanently employed counterparts.

Governor Kilonzo Jr. was accompanied by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu, chairman Public Service Board Dr.Nickodemus Muteti, several Members of County Assembly, and members of the County Executive during the event.

GOVERNOR MUTULA LAUNCHES MAJOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO BOOST CLEAN WATER ACCESS IN WOTE

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, flanked by Tanathi Water Works Development Agency CEO Fidelis Kyengo, on Wednesday launched critical infrastructure works aimed at improving water supply for Wote Town and its environs.

The projects, funded by Tanathi through a long-standing partnership with the county government, include:

• Equipping a 30,000-liter-per-hour borehole at Mwaani and connecting it to a 12.5 KW solar power system;

• Solarizing the Kamunyolo community water supply system with a 10 KW solar installation;

• Installing an 88 KW solar power system for booster pumping to the Makueni Boys distribution tanks;

• Construction and rehabilitation of 13.5 km distribution pipeline;

• Supply and installation of bulk water meters.

The Mwaani borehole will inject an extra 30,000 litres per hour into the existing water supply network, while the Kamunyolo project will increase daily pumping hours from just 45 minutes to 7 hours.

Governor Mutula noted that his administration is working round the clock to ensure sustainable and adequate clean water supply for Wote Town, to meet the demands of its rapidly growing urban population and to boost investor confidence.

MAKUENI AND THINKWELL STRENGTHEN HEALTH SECTOR THROUGH PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

The Makueni County Government, in partnership with ThinkWell, have been implementing a performance management framework aimed at systematically tracking progress, identifying service delivery gaps, and enhancing health outcomes across the county.

On Tuesday, the County Health Management Team convened at Kusyombunguo Hotel to assess the implementation of previous action points and propose corrective measures where necessary.

During the forum, ThinkWell representative Moses Maragu reported that health facilities achieved a 100 percent reporting rate in April and May this year.

Level 2 and 3 facilities recorded higher participation and inclusion in the analysis compared to level 4 facilities.

The assessment also showed that level 4 facilities had attained full availability of essential maternal and newborn care equipment.

Items such as delivery beds, vacuum extractors, and complete delivery packs were reported to be readily available, reflecting improved facility readiness for maternal and newborn care.

Outgoing County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services, Dr. Paul Musila, who attended the meeting, used the opportunity to introduce the incoming CECM, Joyce Mutua.

He emphasized the role of performance management in strengthening accountability, enhancing efficiency, and aligning health interventions with county priorities.

He also highlighted the framework’s role in promoting data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, and the optimal use of resources to better serve the population.