General

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.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has urged a targeted push to register over 54,000 eligible voters in the county.

Speaking at a stakeholder forum convened by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) at Wote Technical Training Institute, Mutula called for a data-driven approach to identify and reach unregistered voters. He questioned whether uncollected national IDs account for a large share of those yet to sign up and pressed for their issuance alongside registration drives.

He also emphasized the need to ease voter transfers during the ongoing exercise to improve access.

The forum brought together county government leadership, County assembly leadership, youth leaders, religious groups, civil society, media, community organisations and other key stakeholders.

Officials cited the Huduma Mashinani initiative,through which about 2,000 voters were registered,as an effective outreach model.

County Executive Committee Member Sebastian Kyoni said the county will work with youth groups, boda boda operators, and women’s organisations to scale up mobilisation.

Makueni Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu called for stronger media partnerships to boost awareness.

So far, 4,295 new voters have been registered, far short of the 54,581 target.

On 12th December 2025, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. flagged off the Huduma Mashinani outreach programme, an initiative aimed at decentralizing essential government services to the grassroots.

The programme enabled residents to access key services, including ID registration, voter registration, and issuance of birth and death certificates, alongside 23 other government services, reducing the need for long-distance travel and promoting inclusive access.

Over the three-month period, a total of 76,300 residents across all 30 wards in Makueni County were served, demonstrating strong uptake and impact at the community level.

Speaking during the closing event in Mukaa Ward on Thursday, CECM for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, commended residents for their turnout and reaffirmed the county’s commitment to improved service delivery.

He announced that Phase II of Huduma Mashinani will be rolled out soon, with a focus on expanding reach and enhancing efficiency.

Dr. Annah Kyoya has been sworn in as chairperson of the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF) following her successful vetting and approval by the Makueni County Assembly.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. witnessed the swearing-in ceremony, administered by the County Attorney, and urged Dr Kyoya to discharge her duties diligently.

The governor said the county’s priority is to boost economic empowerment while increasing household incomes among Makueni residents. He revealed that the county has already secured Sh160 million for the fund, with additional resources expected through partnerships aimed at strengthening its impact.

MCEF remains a key economic pillar in the county, structured as a revolving fund that provides sustainably affordable, interest-free credit to residents, particularly those running micro and small enterprises.

Dr Kyoya, who will chair the MCEF Committee, is expected to supervise the fund’s operations and spearhead efforts to grow its capital base through stakeholder engagement.

Speaking after taking the oath of office, Dr Kyoya thanked the county government for entrusting her with the role, terming it a noble mandate.

The swearing-in ceremony was also attended by County Executive Committee Members: Japheth Mang’oka, Joyce Mutua, and Eng. Sebastian Kyoni.

Established in 2015 under the Public Finance Management Act, the fund has undergone several reviews of its guidelines and regulations to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

MCEF is currently anchored under the Makueni County Social Protection Act, 2025, and the MCEF Regulations, 2025. It is wholly owned by the County Government of Makueni and domiciled within the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services.

The fund’s mandate includes providing access to capital and financing facilities to micro and small enterprises owned by marginalized groups—youth, women, men, and persons with disabilities—facilitating investment in small businesses, and advancing loans to village savings and loan associations across the county.