News

MAKUENI STORMS KYISA 2025 IN HOMA BAY WITH A BANG!

Makueni County has made an emphatic statement at the ongoing Kenya Youth Inter-county Sports Association (KYISA) games in Homa Bay, with her teams across multiple disciplines delivering impressive performances that have established them as serious title contenders.

The men’s football team set the tone early, pulling off a stunning 1-0 victory against defending champions Busia in their opening match. They followed this with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Wajir to comfortably secure a place in the quarterfinals.

Taking cue from their male counterparts, Makueni’s women footballers fought hard in their opening match to earn a 1-1 draw against neighboring Kitui before producing a commanding 2-0 victory over Kajiado that booked their spot in the semifinals.

On the basketball court, the women’s team provided one of the tournament’s most thrilling moments, edging Siaya 48-47 in a nail-biting encounter that went down to the wire.

The men’s volleyball team also made their mark with a convincing 3-1 win against Nyeri, though the women’s volleyball team suffered a 3-0 setback against a strong Nandi side in their opener.

With multiple teams advancing deep into the knockout stages, Makueni County has firmly established itself as one of the teams to beat at this year’s KYISA games.

MAKUENI COUNTY TEAMS UP WITH KCB TO BOOST REVENUE COLLECTION, OFFERS DISCOUNTS FOR EARLY PAYMENTS.

Makueni County has entered into a strategic partnership with Kenya Commercial Bank to streamline and enhance revenue collection, targeting Ksh 1.5 billion in Own- source Revenue for the 2024/2025 financial year.

The KCB team on Tuesday held talks with County Secretary, Dr. Justin Kyambi and County Executive Committee Member, Finance and Socio-Economic Planning, Damaris Kavoi.

The KCB team was led by David Nyamu, General Manager, Sovereign and Public Sector during the official launch at the Governor’s Office in Wote.

As part of the initiative, the County launched a five-day public awareness campaign to educate businesses and landowners on the importance of paying land rates, renewing business permits and settling other County dues.

To encourage timely compliance, the county is offering discounts for early payments:

10% discount on unpaid bills of up to Ksh 10,000 and 5% discount on unpaid bills exceeding Ksh 10,000.

Boniface Mutua, Chief Officer for Finance and Socio-Economic Planning, also attended the event.

MAKUENI MOVES TO RESTORE THREATENED MUAMBWANI KALUMBI COMMUNITY FORESTS

Muambwani and Kalumbi Community Forests in Mbitini Ward are more than just trees—they are lifelines. These precious ecosystems provide the neighboring communities with clean water, firewood, medicinal plants and food, while sheltering hundreds of wildlife species.

These forests are however under threat from unsustainable human practices such as logging, cattle grazing and encroachment, putting both nature and people at risk by shrinking the resources they rely on.

Alarmed by this crisis, Makueni County’s Department of Lands, Urban Planning & Development, Environment and Climate Change has sprung into action. In partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Union under the Digital Land Governance Programme, they have completed an intensive four-day biodiversity and socioeconomic assessment—documenting the forests’ rich flora and fauna while mapping the damaging effects of human activity.

This assessment paves the way for the formulation of a Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP)—a community-driven blueprint to restore and sustainably manage the two forests.

Led by FAO’s Cluster Land Technical Specialist, Christopher Sowek, and Makueni County Forester Damaris Mwikali, the plan will empower locals to protect their natural heritage while creating eco-friendly livelihoods such as beekeeping, agroforestry, ecotourism, and plant-based medicinal extracts.

MAKUENI GEARS UP TO DOMINATE KYISA GAMES AGAIN AS CHAMPIONS EYE HOMA BAY GLORY!

Makueni County is on a mission to conquer once more! Fresh off their stunning triumph at last year’s Kenya Youth Inter-county Sports Association (KYISA) games in Malindi, the defending champions are charging into Homa Bay with fire in their hearts and victory on their minds.

In an electrifying flag-off ceremony on Friday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. handed the county flag to six teams—men and women primed for glory—as they prepare to battle for supremacy from April 13th to 19th.

“We are not just participating—we are defending our crown!” declared Governor Mutula, expressing confidence in the squads assembled from the just concluded MKJ Supa Cup.

Last year, Makueni left opponents in the dust, clinching gold in men’s volleyball and dominating women’s football. Now, with Homa Bay in their sights, the champions are hungry to prove their reign is no fluke.

OVER 1,700 MAKUENI YOUTH TO BENEFIT FROM WAZO INNOVATION PROGRAM

A total of 1,740 youth in Makueni County are set to benefit from Wazo, a youth empowerment program spearheaded by the National Government to tackle unemployment and nurture innovation among young people.

The Wazo initiative takes a comprehensive approach to sustainable development by equipping youth with entrepreneurial skills, supporting the growth of startups, and addressing key barriers such as high failure rates of youth-led businesses and lack of knowledge on patenting and intellectual property rights.

Speaking in Makueni on Wednesday, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs,Creative Economy, and Sports, Salim Mvurya, urged the youth to seize the opportunity to shape their future through innovation and enterprise.

He further added that each beneficiary will undergo a six-month intensive training and will receive a monthly stipend of K.sh 6,000 to support them during the period.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili echoed the sentiments, highlighting the county’s ongoing youth empowerment efforts including the Ujuzi Teketeke skills development program and sports initiatives.

TEACHERS IN MAKUENI EMPOWERED FOR A STRONG FOUNDATION IN EARLY LEARNING

A new chapter in early childhood education has begun in Makueni as 400 teachers from Kilome, Kibwezi West, and Kibwezi East gathered at Kibwezi Teachers Training College for a transformative capacity building workshop. This bold step, spearheaded by the County Government of Makueni in partnership with UNICEF, reflects a major investment in shaping the future of young learners.

The workshop comes hot on the heels of a historic achievement—Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s confirmation of all 959 participating teachers into permanent and pensionable terms. This landmark decision underscores the County’s strong commitment to the dignity, welfare, and professional growth of educators.

Under the theme “Retooling for Efficient Curriculum Implementation and Improved Caregiving,” the training aims to sharpen teachers’ skills in modern pedagogy, promote nurturing care, and enhance effective delivery of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

The event was graced by key leaders including Deputy Governor H.E. Lucy Mulili, CECM ICT, Education and Internship Elizabeth Muli, CECM Devolution Nicholas Nzioka, UNICEF Kenya’s Jane Kariuki, KasaMBA Kiilu, Governor’s Political Advisor, and Chief Officer Irene Makau, among others.

Makueni County proudly becomes the first in Kenya to host a retooling workshop of this scale—further solidifying its place as a trailblazer in early learning development. Leaders and partners hailed Governor Mutula’s visionary leadership in making early childhood education a top priority.

The County has also inked a strategic partnership with UNICEF to drive impactful programs in health and nutrition, school feeding, digital learning, kitchen gardens, and social protection—all geared towards holistic child development.

This workshop is more than just training—it’s a movement to build a strong, nurturing foundation for Kenya’s future.

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MAKUENI BEGINS FORMULATION OF ENERGY POLICY TO BOOST SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Makueni has initiated the formulation of its first Energy Policy, a strategic framework aimed at addressing energy challenges and promoting sustainable development.

Led by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Public Works & Energy, an inter-departmental committee has begun drafting the policy with technical support from Strathmore University, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and UK-PACT. These partners are providing expertise to ensure the policy aligns with global best practices in renewable energy and public-private partnerships.

The Makueni Energy Policy seeks to:

• Promote renewable energy by harnessing solar, wind, and biogas resources.

• Improve energy affordability and reliability

• Encourage decentralized energy solutions, such as mini-grids and off-grid solar systems, to ensure stable power supply in remote areas.

• Foster public-private partnerships (PPPs) to attract investment in sustainable energy projects.

County Executive Committee Member for Infrastructure, Eng. Peter Mumo,who chaired the inaugural drafting session in Wote on Wednesday emphasized that reliable and affordable energy is critical for industrial growth, business expansion, and overall socio-economic progress.

Chief Officer Eng. Naomi Nthambi said adopting innovative and decentralized energy solutions, will ensure that even the most remote communities have access to electricity.

MAKUENI PARTNERS WITH KEY INSTITUTIONS TO BOOST HEALTHCARE SERVICES

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance healthcare services in the county.

The agreements, signed with The Open University of Kenya,Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK), and North Star Alliance, will strengthen medical research, capacity building, and disease prevention efforts.

Under the partnership with The Open University of Kenya, the Department of Health will facilitate student placements and research opportunities in health sciences within county health facilities.

The collaboration aims to bolster medical education, enhance research, and apply scientific knowledge to improve patient care.

Meanwhile, the agreement with CHAK will support the implementation of comprehensive HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs in select faith-based and county health facilities.

This partnership will run until September 2026, emphasizing efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in the region.

North Star Alliance will as well work alongside the County Health Department to reduce the prevalence of communicable diseases, including HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

The partnership will focus on delivering health and safety services at the Roadside Wellness Centre in Emali and integrating key population-friendly services in selected health facilities

PRESERVING HERITAGE, SUSTAINING CULTURE AND INSPIRING GROWTH

Indigenous knowledge [I.K] plays a crucial role in preserving culture in the country by safeguarding traditional practices, languages and customs passed down through generations.

I.K encompasses wisdom in agriculture, medicine, storytelling and rituals that define a community’s identity.

By integrating I.K into education and conservation efforts, the government ensures the continuity of the community’s heritage while promoting sustainable development.

The County Government of Makueni, in partnership with the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) through its Natural Products Industry (NPI) Program, on Tuesday held a consultative forum with registered micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) involved in the Indigenous Knowledge Documentation and Digitization (IK DoDi) Project.

The sensitization forum was aimed to prepare participants for an upcoming investment conference and trade fair, where participants will showcase documented and prioritized indigenous knowledge-based assets and products in Makueni.

The forthcoming conference, themed Heritage-Based Enterprises, aligns with Kenya’s Vision 2030 Fourth Medium-Term Plan (2023-2027) will serve as a platform to connect exhibitors with potential investors and partners for product development and commercialization.

Speaking at the forum, the CECM for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Sonia Nzilani, highlighted that the Heritage-Based Enterprise agenda seeks to empower local communities, promote tourism and enhance education on Kenya’s rich cultural and natural heritage.

“By leveraging indigenous knowledge and traditional practices, this initiative aims to create economic opportunities while preserving cultural identity of the Akamba,” said Dr. Nzilani.

The program specifically targets registered CBOs engaged in income-generating activities, recognizing the crucial role of indigenous knowledge in sustainable economic development.

The meeting was also attended by the Chief Officer Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani, NMK’s Patrick Maundu and Director of Culture Mutua Mulonzya.

MAKUENI TO BUILD ELITE SPORTS ACADEMY IN LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has signed a memorandum of understanding with Champions Pathway Academy (CPA) and United States-based Angels at Bat to establish a world-class sports academy in Makueni. The facility will feature modern training infrastructure, aiming to nurture local talent and position the county as a regional and global sports hub.

Governor Mutula described the partnership as one that goes beyond sports, saying it is about equipping youth with leadership, education, and life skills. The initiative will offer professional coaching, international exposure, and mentorship.

CPA Chief Executive Officer Albert Munane emphasized the importance of investing in sports as a tool for discipline, while Angels at Bat’s Justus Musia noted the cultural exchange potential of the partnership.

Sports Executive Committee Member Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, Chief Officer Nicholis Mutua, sports director Ambrose Kisoi and senior sports officer Charles Muthoka attended the signing ceremony held at the governor’s office in Wote, Tuesday.