General

The Office of the County Secretary, through the Human Resource Unit, on Monday concluded a six-day HR clinic aimed at sensitising county staff on employee benefits, services, registration procedures and utilisation of the Jubilee medical insurance cover currently available to county government employees.

The exercise, which concluded at the County Referral Hospital, also provided a platform for employees to give feedback on human resource matters, including the obligations of the employer, with the broader goal of enhancing a conducive working environment for staff.

Human Resource Director Evelyn Mueni said the team is committed to advancing Governor Mutula Kilonzo’s vision of a reengineered public service that recognises and rewards performance.

As part of activities marking HR Month, the clinics also incorporated sessions on mental wellness, with staff encouraged to invest in their well-being and pay greater attention to their mental health.

County Public Service Board CEO Redempta Kavindu, meanwhile, encouraged staff to apply for promotions and other job opportunities whenever vacancies arise.

Ag.Chief Officer in charge of Public Service Management Dr. Joselyn Nzilani was also present.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Saturday joined thousands of Catholic faithful at Unoa Grounds in Wote for the installation of Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe as the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wote, in a ceremony led by Archbishop Philip Anyolo of the Archdiocese of Nairobi.

The installation marked a significant milestone for the Diocese of Wote, drawing clergy, political leaders and worshippers from across the region.

Addressing the congregation, Governor Mutula congratulated Bishop Kamomoe on his appointment and wished him success in his new pastoral mission.

The governor also called on the Catholic Church to continue praying for the country as Kenya heads toward the next General Election, emphasizing the need for national unity and peaceful coexistence.

He urged political leaders to work together and consistently preach peace to their supporters, saying harmony would be critical in the period leading up to the polls.

In his remarks, Mutula further told the congregation that the Makueni community had sent Wiper Party leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka to seek national leadership, describing him as a “fisher of men” in reference to the upcoming elections.

Also speaking during the ceremony, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, appealed to young people to remain law-abiding and resist being manipulated into violence.

He urged the youth not to allow themselves to be used as goons, but instead to uphold the rule of law and contribute positively to society.

In his maiden address as Bishop of Wote, Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe pledged to faithfully advance the Gospel, saying he would dedicate his ministry to proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, and serving the faithful entrusted to his care.

Hundreds of residents of Thange Ward on Thursday turned up at Kasasule as the County Government of Makueni launched Phase II of the Huduma Mashinani programme, bringing key government services closer to wananchi.

Residents accessed services including national ID registration, birth and death certificates, voter registration, KRA PIN processing, HELB support, police abstracts and NSSF registration.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services Sebastian Kyoni said the second phase followed the successful completion of Phase I, which served more than 80,000 residents across the county.

Among those served was 80-year-old Tabitha Kinyanzii of Muumoni Village, who, alongside three other residents, began the process of acquiring a national identity card for the first time.

The programme is one of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s flagship initiatives aimed at improving access to government services.

The County Government of Makueni, through the Department of Health, on Wednesday conducted a clean-up exercise at Wote Grocery Market as part of ongoing efforts to improve sanitation and promote a healthier trading environment.

Led by County Executive Committee Member for Health Joyce Mutua, and Wote Municipality Manager Everlyn Mutua, public health officers, traders and community members collected and disposed of solid waste, unclogged drainage channels and cleaned the market surroundings. The team also sensitized traders on proper waste management and the importance of maintaining high hygiene standards.

Joyce Mutua reaffirmed the department’s commitment to regular clean-up exercises and public health awareness campaigns across markets and other public spaces to prevent sanitation-related diseases and promote a clean, safe and healthy environment.

The initiative is part of the county government’s broader efforts to strengthen environmental sanitation and foster shared responsibility in keeping public spaces clean across Makueni County.

The Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) is conducting a three-day Insurance Open Day in Makueni County aimed at promoting the growth of the insurance industry through consumer education and public engagement.

The event, being held at the Wote Bus Park, has brought together more than 15 insurance companies, the Central Bank of Kenya, and members of the public, providing a platform for direct interaction between consumers and key players in the insurance sector.

Speaking during the event,Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, said the initiative offers significant benefits to residents, particularly those who have had limited interaction with the Authority and insurance service providers.

She also noted that the forum provides an opportunity for members of the public to seek information on insurance products, obtain clarification on claims settlement processes, and share feedback on their experiences with insurance services.

Mulili emphasized the County Government’s commitment to promoting financial literacy and increasing public appreciation of insurance as an essential tool for risk management and protection.

The Deputy Governor further encouraged residents to take advantage of the forum to learn more about available insurance products and services, enabling them to make informed financial decisions.

The Insurance Regulatory Authority was represented by Ms. Emily Pherry, Manager for Consumer Protection, alongside other IRA officials who engaged participants on various aspects of insurance regulation, consumer rights, and industry practices

The Government of Makueni County has launched a five-day capacity-building programme on Integrated Performance Management aimed at enhancing efficiency, accountability and service delivery across county departments.

The training, which began on June 8 and will run until June 12, is being implemented in partnership with GIZ Kenya and brings together county officials from various departments and agencies.

The programme is designed to strengthen skills in performance planning, target setting, monitoring, evaluation and statutory reporting. The initiative seeks to improve institutional productivity, enhance financial accountability and ensure more effective delivery of public services.

A key component of the training focuses on linking productivity to performance contracting, with departments expected to align their targets to measurable outcomes that directly impact residents.

The initiative aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s agenda of building an accountable and high-performing county government capable of meeting the service delivery expectations of Makueni residents.

The exercise has brought critical services closer to the people, enabling residents to apply for and process documents such as national ID cards, voter’s cards, birth and death certificates, affidavits, police abstracts, HELB services, SHA registration, and various health services among others.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., on Tuesday, delivered the keynote address at the 23rd Internal Audit Annual Seminar in Mombasa.

He shared Makueni County’s journey to earning clean audit reports, noting that it is now the only county among the 47 to attain an unqualified audit opinion for the 2024/2025 financial year.

He said this achievement affirms that strong systems, transparency, and accountability deliver real results for the people.

Under the theme “Beyond Transition: Transformation in an Evolving Landscape,” he challenged internal auditors to rise to the moment, emphasizing that their role must go beyond fault-finding to becoming strategic guardians of governance. He noted that the future demands preventing risks before they occur and embedding audit as a key driver of value and decision-making.

As governance evolves with digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and increasing public expectations, he advocated for a deliberate and intentional approach to transformation. This includes embracing data, innovation, and adaptability,even when it is uncomfortable.

He added that internal auditors deserve a seat at the decision-making table, as their insights are critical in shaping resilient and accountable institutions.

He also called for consideration of a strong legal framework to safeguard the independence and professional space of internal auditors.

He concluded by urging stakeholders to move beyond transition and deliver true transformation.

Stakeholders, including the IEBC, government administrators, county officials, civil society representatives, religious and opinion leaders, as well as political and business figures, convened in Tawa on Thursday to address concerns over low voter registration as the deadline approaches.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, Sebastian Kyoni, confirmed that national identity cards issued during the Huduma Mashinani drive have been dispatched and are currently being collected.

However it was established that, more than 2,000 IDs in Mbooni Sub-county remain unclaimed.

He urged stakeholders to amplify voter education efforts within their communities, emphasizing that voter registration is both a fundamental right and a cornerstone of the democratic process.

IEBC officials also highlighted security challenges that are hindering their operations.

Leaders present called for enhanced coordination among agencies, expedited issuance of identity cards, and intensified public awareness campaigns to boost registration numbers.

Current registration rates show Mbooni Sub-county lagging at 43 percent, followed by Kilome at 54 percent and Kaiti at 55 percent.

With only five days remaining, Makueni Sub-county stands at 74 percent, Kibwezi West at 77 percent, and Kibwezi East leads at 78 percent.

The meeting, organized by the IEBC in collaboration with the county government and local leaders, aimed to identify and address the underlying challenges contributing to low registration rates, particularly in Mbooni Sub-county.