Youth

Makindu | 13th November 2026

Upendo Muslim Women Group from Makindu Ward has received KSh65,000 through the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF), marking progress from its initial KSh50,000 funding under the programme’s pilot phase that benefited 41 community groups.

The group, which has been in operation for 24 years, engages in merry-go-round savings, table banking, catering and other income-generating activities aimed at improving members’ livelihoods.

Speaking during the cheque handover, CECM for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services Eng. Sebastian Kyoni commended the group for its longstanding unity, commitment and active participation in economic activities.

Kyoni urged members to utilise the funds responsibly to strengthen their ventures, expand their income-generating activities and improve their economic wellbeing.

He reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment, under the leadership of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., to empowering grassroots groups through MCEF, an interest-free funding programme designed to promote financial inclusion and sustainable livelihoods.

Kyoni was accompanied by CECM for Devolution Nicholas Nzioka, and Ag CECM for Agriculture and Fisheries Japheth Mang’oka and other county officials.

Kibwezi West | 12th November 2026

The County Government of Makueni has kicked off Phase Two of the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF), with initial beneficiary groups graduating to higher funding limits as new groups begin accessing the interest-free loans.

Ngwate Kwoko Self Help Group in Kikumbulyu South Ward, comprising persons living with disabilities (PWDs), and Mulala Disability Group from Emali Mulala Ward each received KSh65,000, up from their initial KSh50,000 allocations during the pilot phase.

Ngwate Kwoko engages in farming, poultry keeping, beekeeping and other income-generating activities. The increased funding is expected to strengthen the group’s enterprises and improve members’ livelihoods, with the funding limit progressively growing to KSh500,000.

Another beneficiary, Ndwae Ngone Andu Makwa Women Group from Kikumbulyu North Ward, received KSh50,000, becoming among the first new groups to benefit following the countywide rollout.

Speaking during the cheque handover, CECM for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services Eng. Sebastian Kyoni commended the groups for embracing the programme and urged them to utilise the funds prudently to expand their economic activities and achieve financial independence.

The MCEF programme, driven by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s vision of an economically empowered and self-reliant Makueni, seeks to unlock grassroots potential, support community enterprises and promote inclusive economic growth through accessible, interest-free financing.

Following the roll out, the County targets 900 community groups across all 30 Wards.

Eng. Kyoni was accompanied by MCA Jades Kalunda and other county officials.

Nairobi | 10th November 2026 -Makueni County Government officials on Tuesday engaged Safaricom to review and strengthen the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF) digital platform following a successful pilot phase that ran from June to October 2026 and benefited 41 community groups.

The meeting provided an opportunity to review lessons and challenges from the pilot, with Safaricom’s technical team presenting updates on improvements to the fund’s digital platform.

Key areas of focus included document uploads, network stability, repayment functionality, dashboard accuracy, SMS reminders, loan portfolio management, ward-based reporting and monitoring of group performance.

Leading the Makueni delegation, CECM for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services Eng. Sebastian Kyoni said the county targets to reach 900 community groups across all 30 wards, with 30 groups per Ward benefiting from the interest-free financing programme. Each group will access an initial KSh50,000, with the borrowing limit progressively growing to KSh500,000.

The engagement seeks to address outstanding technical and operational gaps ahead of the countywide rollout, ensuring efficient fund management, accountability and easier access for beneficiary groups.

The initiative reinforces Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s commitment to economically empower women and youth, promoting entrepreneurship and strengthening household livelihoods. Kyoni was accompanied by Chief Officer for Gender, Children and Social Services Catherine Katuti, among other county officials.

Over 900 community groups in Makueni County are set to benefit from interest-free loans as the county prepares for the full rollout of the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF).

The rollout follows a successful pilot programme in which KSh 2.05 million was disbursed to 44 groups, all of which successfully repaid the loans within the agreed timelines. Building on this performance, the County Government has allocated KSh 160 million for the full programme, targeting 30 groups in each ward.

On Wednesday, County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, chaired a review meeting with MCEF focal persons, during which the go-ahead for the full rollout was given.

The expanded programme will combine access to affordable financing with capacity building. Beneficiary groups will undergo training, while Ward Development Officers will be equipped with tablets to support digital processing, monitoring and follow-up of the loans.