General

The Adansonia Digitata, widely known as the baobab tree (‘namba’ in kamba), is a resilient plant that thrives in drylands, including Kibwezi in Makueni.

Its fruit is packed with nutrients, boosting immunity, aiding digestion and supporting overall body health.

Traditionally cherished for its medicinal and food uses, the baobab continues to stand out as a natural gift with immense value.

Among the young innovators showcasing this potential is Emanuel Kioko Kimeu, a passionate youth from Kee Ward, Kaiti Sub-County.

Through his venture, Kee Botanical Gardens Illustrator, Kioko has dedicated himself to research on local plants, documenting their food and medicinal value while championing their use in modern diets.

His creativity and passion are giving indigenous plants a new life in today’s food systems.

Aligning with this year’s Nairobi Trade Fair 2025 theme of promoting climate-smart agriculture and sustainable trade, the Makueni County Government, in partnership with the Micro Small Enterprise Authority, has provided a stand for local innovators like Kioko to exhibit their work.

One of his unique value addition projects involves processing baobab fruit into bread jam and porridge flour—highly nutritious products that promote healthy living.

Such innovations highlight how local plants are not only protecting community health but also strengthening food security and economic growth.

For Makueni, these efforts showcase the richness of indigenous knowledge, turning climate-resilient resources like the baobab into everyday solutions for the people.

Makueni County has imposed a 60-day ban on all sand harvesting and utilization activities in Kilome Sub-County, effective immediately.

The directive was issued through an Executive Order signed on 1st October, 2025, by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.

The governor has tasked the Makueni Sand Conservation and Utilization Authority with reorganizing sand operations in the area and ensuring full compliance within the specified period.

The moratorium follows sustained public outcry over unregulated sand harvesting in the Sub-County.

A section of local investors and business leaders paid a courtesy call to Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, focusing on a discussion to transform Wote into a vibrant economic hub.

The deliberations that centered on town planning, infrastructure development also focused on improved amenities, environmental management and security.

During the meeting, Governor Kilonzo affirmed the county government’s support, urging plot owners to align with the town planning vision to enhance Wote’s appeal as a trading center.

Led by Gideon Kimilu, the business community expressed commitment to boosting investments in the county headquarters.

Further, the governor also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve roads, medical services, water supply and security, ensuring a fair and thriving business environment for all.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday expressed shock at the brutal murder of boda boda rider, Sammy Sikuku in Kibwezi town and promised that the killers will be punished.

He was addressing boda boda riders from Kibwezi, Emali and Makindu in his office protesting the murder. He said no one had the right to take someone’s life.

The riders said Sikuku was set on fire and killed at the instigation of a business woman in a case of mistaken identity and called for a speedy trial for the trader who is in police custody.

The case is being heard at the Makueni Law Courts.

Governor Mutula, who was accompanied by his deputy, Lucy Mulili, said the County will provide a lawyer for the family.

Kikumbulyu South MCA Jades Kalunda Kalunda accompanied the riders.

The County Executive Committee Member in charge of Infrastructure, Transport, Public Works, Housing, and Energy, Eng. Peter Mumo, on Thursday led an inspection tour of the 93 km elephant exclusive electric fence along the Makueni County–Tsavo East National Park border.

The visit formed part of the annual maintenance verification exercise conducted by the department. The inspection aimed at ensuring the fence continues to protect communities and farmlands from wildlife.

Eng. Mumo reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to guaranteeing that the fence operates at 100% efficiency throughout the year to safeguard livelihoods and boost agricultural productivity and enhance food security.

He was accompanied by the county energy technical team and Mtito Andei Ward MCA, Francis Mulwa.

Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Friday morning joined a prayer session at the Wote Huduma Centre to mark Huduma Prayer Day.

The event brought together officers, including Makueni Deputy County Commissioner Paul Lagat, to seek God’s guidance in serving the public.

Mulili called on officers to embrace humility and dedication as they serve residents, stressing that Huduma Centres were created to make government services accessible under one roof.

She commended the Wote Huduma Centre team for their fast and reliable service, which has so far reached over 800,000 people since the centre was established.

The Deputy Governor also assured residents that she will follow up on setting up county government desks at the centre to expand services further.

The prayer session served as a reminder that public service is not just about efficiency but also about compassion and commitment to the people.

Makueni County has been selected as a key focus area in a nationwide study by the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) to assess the state of girls’ education in marginalized communities across Kenya.

A delegation from NGEC, led by Commissioner Nzomo Mbithuka, which paid a courtesy call on the Makueni Governor announced that 12 schools in Makueni will participate in the study. The County was chosen due to its relatively high literacy rate of 82% and impressive 97% transition rate from primary school. However, concerns remain over a significant drop in transition to secondary school, which stands at 82%.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. welcomed the initiative and expressed deep concern over the rising number of teenage pregnancies in the county—a major factor contributing to school dropouts among girls.

The governor also drew attention to the increasingly overlooked plight of the boy child, noting that many boys are grappling with neglect, depression, and loneliness.

Makueni is making strategic strides towards entrenching its name as the least corrupt county in Kenya, anchored on high levels of transparency and accountability.

On Tuesday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. hosted a delegation of top-ranking EACC officials led by Commissioner Alfred Mshimba, alongside representatives from GIZ led by Judy Oduma, for discussions focused on strengthening corruption prevention and enhancing performance management.

At the center of the agenda was the establishment of a County Corruption Prevention Committee, in line with guidelines issued by the EACC in 2023.

The committee will, among other responsibilities, develop a framework to mainstream corruption prevention in public service, reduce the prevalence of corruption, enhance transparency and accountability, and build a positive organizational culture.

Governor Mutula lauded the EACC–GIZ partnership, which emphasizes corruption prevention through systematic approaches as opposed to prosecution-only mechanisms.