News

MAKUENI CHOIR HEADS TO ELDORET IN STYLE

The Makueni County Choir has been officially flagged off to represent the county at the annual Kenya Music and Cultural Festival in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu.

Entering the competition as the reigning overall choir champions, the choir will showcase their talent in set piece, own composition, mixed voices, zilizopendwa, adaptation arrangements, gospel pieces, and more.

During the prayer-filled flag-off ceremony, Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism Chief Officer, Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani reaffirmed the county’s dedication to nurturing talent.

She noted that such platforms not only inspire creativity but also position Makueni’s artists for commercial growth and national recognition.

With confidence and artistry, the team carries the pride of Makueni to Eldoret—ready to defend their crown.

MAKUENI BEGINS 16 DAYS DRIVE TO STOP ONLINE GENDER VIOLENCE

Makueni County’s human rights champions have kicked off an intensified campaign against gender-based violence under the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

This year’s theme, “ *End Online Gender-Based Violence: A Safe Makueni for All* ”, highlights the rising cases of digital abuse, including cyberbullying, online harassment and exploitation.

The launch brought together County and National Government officials, civil society, youth groups, faith leaders and development partners, all committing to work collectively to make digital spaces safer, especially for women, children and young people.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Sebastian Kyoni, who flagged off the campaign in Wote on Friday, said the County is strengthening survivor support services, enhancing reporting pathways and expanding community awareness through the Gender Sector Working Group.

Over the next 16 days, the team will lead countywide engagements, including community dialogues, school and youth sessions, digital safety training and awareness activities in a bid to build a community where everyone lives free from harm and with full dignity.

OPEN UNIVERSITY MARKS SECOND GRADUATION, SENDS 200 INNOVATORS INTO KENYA’S DIGITAL FUTURE

The Open University of Kenya (OUK) marked yet another milestone, as it held it’s second graduation ceremony, proudly awarding certificates to over 200 graduates across various fields to the country’s rapidly evolving professional landscape.

The cohort completed programmes spanning Business and Economics, Education, Entrepreneurship, Economics and Statistics, Technology Education, Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Digital Forensics, fields central to Kenya’s emerging knowledge economy.

During the ceremony, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba underscored the government’s continued focus on strengthening OUK as a centre of excellence in digital learning, and inclusive education for learners across the country.

Chancellor Dr. James Mwangi highlighted the university’s online learning model as a transformative avenue for Kenyans seeking to advance their skills while balancing work, family, or distance barriers.

Guest speaker Lucy Mulili celebrated the graduating class as a new force in technology-driven growth, research, and innovation.

Her call for increased enrollment from Kitui, Makueni, and Machakos counties was reinforced by Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi, who encouraged more learners from the region to seize the opportunities provided by OUK’s digital platform.

DRIVING MANGO EXCELLENCE: MAKUENI’S EXPORT PUSH

The County Government of Makueni is stepping up efforts to empower mango farmers and strengthen their access to export markets.

On Friday morning, a team of experts from KEPHIS and TradeMark Africa paid a courtesy call to CECM for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, Elizabeth Muli, to review ongoing support programs for farmers.

Led by KEPHIS Plant Health Inspector Dorcas Mugambi and TMA’s Programmes Manager on Market Systems Elizabeth Gathogo, the meeting discussed the ongoing countywide programme on identifying and managing pests of concern, and training farmers on export market requirements.

The one-week exercise is being conducted across several wards, bringing training closer to farmers organized in groups.

While speaking to the team, CECM Muli reaffirmed the county’s strong commitment to equipping farmers with continuous training and support, enabling them to produce high-quality mangoes that meet the standards of competitive export markets.

As part of the exercise, KEPHIS officers working alongside county agriculture staff visited selected farms to assess zones mapped as area of low-pest-prevalence for mango production for export market.

During these field visits, farmers benefit from direct pest surveillance, tailored advisory services, and hands-on demonstrations on pest identification and management to improve the health and quality of their orchards.

FORTIFIED FOODS FORUM PUTS PUBLIC HEALTH FIRST

Food fortification is the process of adding essential vitamins and minerals to everyday foods to improve health and prevent nutrition-related diseases.

With this in focus, fortifying food has emerged as one of the simplest and most effective ways to curb nutrition-related health risks.

On Friday, the Government of Makueni County in partnership with the Ministry of Health with support from the World Food Programme completed a three-day forum in Machakos to advance new strategies for public awareness on fortified foods.

The discussions that involved officers from Public Health and Agriculture departments focused on helping households, county government leadership and community stakeholders understand the value of consuming nutrient-enhanced foods, especially in preventing hidden hunger and boosting overall health.

During the forum, WFP also trained on sustainable approaches that Makueni can adopt to ensure long-term access and behaviour change on nutritious foods.

Additionally, the partnership aims to equip communities with knowledge that supports healthier, more resilient families.

MAKUENI COURTS ISRAELI AGENCIES ON POTENTIAL COLLABORATION AREAS

Makueni County is deepening efforts to secure strategic partnerships with the State of Israel.

On Thursday, Israel’s Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Gideon Behar, paid a courtesy call to Makueni, where he held discussions with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and senior county officials on areas of mutual interest -including water, agriculture, health, climate change, Education and energy.

Governor Mutula said the County is seeking to leverage Israel’s advanced technology and skills to bolster small-scale irrigation systems, a move he noted will help suppress the effects of climate change in the semi-arid region. Israel’s successful water-management and desert-agriculture models, he added, offer practical solutions that can be adapted to Makueni’s ecological realities.

The Governor emphasized that the envisioned partnership will prioritize capacity building and skills transfer, allowing local farmers, youth, and technical personnel to benefit from specialized training and exposure to modern practices.

Beyond water and irrigation, Makueni is also looking to collaborate with Israeli agencies in areas of food security, nutrition enhancement, smart agriculture, and knowledge transfer aimed at making agriculture more profitable and sustainable for local communities.

Ambassador Behar praised Makueni’s leadership, describing its development agenda as strategic and visionary, and reaffirmed Israel’s support for the county’s initiatives.

MAKUENI FEEDLOT SUCCESS DRAWS GLOBAL ATTENTION FROM URUGUAY EXPERTS

Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili on Wednesday led a high-level delegation from Uruguay’s National Institute of Agricultural Research, accompanied by national government officials, on a tour of the Sand River feedlot farm in Sultan Hamud, an expansive 200-acre model showcasing advanced feedlot and fodder production systems.

Uruguay, renowned globally for its expertise in livestock genetics, feed technologies, and pasture-based beef systems, is exploring opportunities for collaboration to enhance feedlot performance, strengthen expert training, and establish demonstration sites in Kenya.

Makueni is currently implementing an animal feed strategy aimed at ensuring farmers have access to consistent, affordable, and high-quality feeds that support improved livestock growth and value chain.

During the visit, Uruguay’s Director for the Animal Health Platform commended Makueni for implementing effective policies that have fostered serious beef production.

Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli noted that the county has already invested in pasture development across Malili, Kibwezi West, Kathonzweni, Kilome, and parts of Kibwezi East, while also expanding disease surveillance and supporting farmers through subsidized livestock insurance.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. VISITS, CONDOLES WITH FAMILIES OF NGOLUNI ACCIDENT VICTIMS

The Makueni County Government on Tuesday visited and condoled with families affected by the tragic Ngoluni accident, which occurred on November 22nd . Led by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., the county delegation offered sympathy, support, and assurances of continued assistance to the grieving families.

In an emotional day-long visit, Governor Mutula—accompanied by senior county officials—met with Musili Ngemu of Tawa, Kisau/Kieteta Ward. Ngemu lost his wife and three children in the accident. The governor’s visit was met with gratitude, with residents praising the swift and coordinated response by county health officials immediately after the tragedy.

Governor Mutula pledged that the county would support the education of Ngemu’s two surviving children, terming it a commitment to restoring hope to the devastated family. He also announced that the county had initiated action to raise road bumps along the section of the road where the accident occurred, to improve safety and prevent future incidents.

The governor later proceeded to Kaithi village in Masii, Machakos County, where he visited another victim, Leah Kimanyi, who was injured and lost two children in the same accident.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. LEADS COUNTY OFFICIALS IN MOURNING DR. SONIA NZILANI

A sombre mood engulfed the Makueni County headquarters as Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. led county government officials mourning the late Makueni County Executive Committee Member, Dr. Sonia Nzilani.

The event also marked the launch of a condolence book at the governor’s office grounds, allowing officials to record their messages of sympathy and support.

Colleagues described Dr. Sonia as social, outgoing, and exceptionally hardworking.

Governor Mutula assured staff that his administration would do everything possible to ensure the departed minister receives a befitting send-off.

He noted that Dr. Sonia’s death had deeply affected many and shaken the core of Makueni’s leadership. He praised her as a dedicated public servant who “never wasted a moment to market Makueni.”

The governor directed that all county flags fly at half-mast until the day after her burial. He also encouraged officials to plant trees in her memory.

MAKUENI COUNTY MOURNS THE SUDDEN PASSING OF DR. SONIA NZILANI

A somber mood engulfed the Montezuma Monalisa Funeral Home on Saturday as family, friends, and leaders from both Makueni and Machakos counties gathered to receive the body of the late Dr. Sonia Nzilani, the Makueni CECM for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture, and Tourism.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr, who led the procession, described Dr. Nzilani’s death as shocking and deeply unexpected, noting that she had appeared healthy, vibrant, and full of energy. He assured the public that his government would work closely with family to uncover the cause of her sudden passing on awaiting postmortem.

Mutula paid a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Nzilani, calling her “a pillar of development” and a passionate environmentalist whose commitment to a progressive and sustainable Makueni was unmatched. “We have lost more than a CECM—we have lost a key stakeholder and a true champion of our community,” he said.

Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi, who was also present, praised Dr. Nzilani for her efforts to strengthen social and economic ties between the two counties. Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, along with several CECMs, MCAs, and Chief Officers from both counties, also attended to pay their respects.