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MAKUENI CALLS FOR GREATER INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION TO UNLOCK YOUTH POTENTIAL.

The County Government of Makueni through the department of Education, ICT and Internship has called on parents, teachers and communities to work together in supporting children’s education to build a skilled and productive generation.

Speaking during the prize-giving ceremony and Harambee at Matiliku Boys High School, CECM for Education, ICT and Internship Japheth Mang’oka lauded the school’s academic performance, noting that more than 90 students countrywide who were sponsored by the County Government of Makueni attained university entry grades, demonstrating the impact of investing in education.

Mang’oka urged learners to remain disciplined and focused on their studies. He encouraged parents to enrol students who did not attain university entry grades in Makueni County Technical and Vocational Training Institutions (TTIs) to acquire practical skills that can lead to employment and entrepreneurship.

The CECM also called for unity among parents, teachers and education stakeholders in supporting schools and creating an environment where every learner has the opportunity to succeed. The event also rallied support towards strengthening the school’s learning environment, reaffirming Makueni’s commitment to providing quality and inclusive education for all.

MAKUENI PARTNERS WITH LEARDAL GLOBAL TO STRENGTHEN MATERNAL, NEWBORN CARE

For many parents, the birth of a child is one of life’s most joyous moments. Yet the day of birth can also be one of the most critical periods for both mother and baby.

According to the World Bank, more than 70 per cent of maternal and neonatal deaths occur around the time of labour and delivery, underscoring the need for timely and effective interventions during childbirth.

Complications such as postpartum haemorrhage and newborn asphyxia can occur without warning, requiring healthcare workers to respond swiftly to save lives.

To strengthen emergency response during childbirth, Makueni County has partnered with Laerdal Global Health, a Tanzania-based non-governmental organisation that supports health systems to improve the delivery of lifesaving care.

The partnership seeks to equip frontline healthcare workers with the tools, skills and confidence needed to identify complications and respond quickly and effectively during labour, delivery and the immediate postnatal period.

Through the Safer Births Bundle of Care (SBBC) programme, the county is in the process of procuring innovative clinical tools introduced by the partner to strengthen intrapartum and newborn care across its health facilities.

Among the tools is Moyo, a fetal heart rate monitoring device worn around a pregnant woman’s abdomen to monitor fetal heart rate during labour.

The county is also procuring NeoBeat, a newborn heart rate meter placed around the baby’s chest to monitor the heartbeat, alongside Upright and Penguin devices to support newborn care.

Makueni County Executive Committee Member for Health Services Joyce Mutua on Friday officially closed a six-day training for maternal and newborn health experts conducted by the Laerdal Global Health team at the Mother and Child Hospital.

Mutua welcomed the initiative, saying it would strengthen the county’s efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths and complement other interventions being implemented by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s administration to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.

PARENTS URGED TO EMBRACE TVET AS MAKUENI EXPANDS EDUCATION SUPPORT.

Parents in Makueni have been urged to enroll their children in the county’s Technical and Vocational Training Institutions (TTIs) to equip them with practical skills and improve their employment prospects.

Speaking during the prize-giving ceremony at Kivandini Primary and Junior Secondary School, Education, ICT and Internship CECM Japheth Mang’oka said technical education offers a pathway to self-reliance.

He also announced that the county government will construct an ECDE classroom at the school as part of a programme to build more than 80 ECDE classrooms in the 2026/27 financial year and facilitate water supply to improve learning conditions.

County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu urged parents to work closely with teachers and regulate children’s use of mobile phones to enhance academic performance. Area MCA Felix Mutiso attended the event.

GOVERNOR MUTULA COMMITS HIS COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday committed his County Executive Committee Members to enhanced accountability and efficient service delivery after presiding over the signing of performance contracts at the Governor’s Office.

The performance contracts set clear targets and measurable outcomes for each department, strengthening the county government’s commitment to transparency, prudent use of public resources and timely implementation of development programmes.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Governor Mutula said the contracts will strengthen performance management across the county, ensuring every executive member remains focused on delivering quality services and improving the lives of Makueni residents.

He emphasized that effective implementation of county programmes will accelerate development, enhance public confidence in government and ensure wananchi receive value from every public investment.

In the same event, Governor Mutula issued promotion letters, conversion-to-permanent-and-pensionable appointment letters, and letters of appointment to 123 members of staff as part of the county government’s efforts to strengthen service delivery.

GOVERNOR MUTULA BACKS SH 2.5 BILLION FRUIT PROCESSING HUB IN MAKUENI TO BOOST MANGO PRODUCE UPTAKE.

Gov. Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has pledged county support for a proposed Sh2.5 billion fruit processing and agribusiness hub expected to boost mango and citrus value addition, create jobs and expand market access for farmers.

Mutula made the commitment Thursday during a consultative meeting with the investors, Agrione Fresh Produce Limited and the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Diocese of Makueni to discuss a strategic partnership for the Makueni Integrated Fruit Processing and Agribusiness Hub.

The project will be developed on a 12-acre site as a phased agro-industrial campus linking farmers to domestic, regional and export markets. It is expected to create about 12,750 jobs while strengthening Makueni’s position as a leading fruit-processing county.

The governor said the county will facilitate land acquisition, improve the investment climate and fast-track approvals to support the project’s implementation. He added that the investment will prioritize local employment, skills transfer and youth training in agriculture.

The county also plans to support the establishment of a container depot in Makindu, strengthen market linkages and promote fair pricing and quality standards to reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ earnings.

Agrione Fresh Produce officials said they selected Makueni because of its strong mango and citrus production, adding that the facility has been designed to meet international food safety standards while allowing for future expansion.

ACK Diocese of Makueni Bishop Francis Matui said the investment would transform livelihoods by creating jobs, expanding markets and driving economic growth. The meeting was also attended by ACK Makueni Investment Committee Chairperson John Paul and County Executive Committee members Japheth Mang’oka, Nicholas Nzioka and Paul Musila.

Once completed, the hub is expected to increase fruit uptake, reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen Makueni’s mango and citrus value chains by connecting farmers to high-value local and export markets.

COUNTY STEPS UP STAFF WELFARE THROUGH HR CLINICS

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.

MUTULA WARNS AGAINST MISINFORMATION ON DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, BACKS RESIDENTS ON LAND FEES IN KIBWEZI

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has cautioned politicians against spreading misinformation to mislead the public and pledged to support residents opposing planned land payments affecting settlement schemes in Kibwezi East.

The governor spoke on Monday during the burial of Mzee Tom Nzoka in Nzembete Village, Masongaleni. The late Nzoka, grandfather of Masongaleni MCA Bryan Nzoka, was eulogised as a respected elder, community arbitrator and political mentor.

Mutula criticised remarks by some Members of Parliament who described bicycles issued to Community Health Promoters (CHPs) as “bicycle ambulances”, saying the claims misrepresented the programme and could mislead the public.

He also opposed plans requiring beneficiaries in 20 settlement schemes to make payments to settlement trustees despite already holding title deeds. The governor vowed to defend the residents’ land ownership rights and urged those affected to unite in opposing the proposed charges, which he alleged were politically motivated.

Also present were Makueni County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu,County Assembly Clerk Kevin Mutuku, several Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), and County Executive Committee Members.

Mzee Tom was a respected elder, arbitrator and political Mentor.

ELDERLY MAKUENI RESIDENT HAILS MUTULA CARE AFTER YEARS OF COSTLY ILLNESS

For 74-year-old Elizabeth Munini from Kyuasini Village in Ukia Ward, Kaiti Constituency, receiving a Universal Healthcare Insurance card under the Mutula Care medical scheme marked a significant milestone in her long battle with chronic illness.

Munini has lived with asthma since 1968 and has been managing arthritis and hypertension since 2009. In 2019, she was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, further compounding her health challenges.

Her family’s burden has been made even heavier by her husband’s ongoing battle with prostate cancer.

She said meeting the cost of treatment has been difficult, as the family depends solely on farming for its livelihood and their children are unable to provide substantial financial support.

Munini lauded Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s administration for prioritising vulnerable members of the community under the Makueni Care programme, saying the medical cover will significantly improve access to healthcare services both within and outside the county.

The county has so far factored about 10,000 households in the medical scheme, with distribution of cards continuing across Makueni.

On Thursday, the Director of Planning in the Department of Health Services, David Kiuluku, issued 370 Makueni Care insurance cards to residents of Ukia Ward during an event held at Mukuyuni ACK Hall.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR LUCY MULILI COMMISSIONS TWIN WATER PROJECTS TO BOOST ACCESS IN MULALA WARD

Residents of Mulala Ward are celebrating improved access to clean and safe water following the commissioning of two major water projects by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Thursday.

One of the projects, the Mulala Borehole Project, was drilled by the County Government during the 2024/2025 Financial Year, with a yield of 15,000 litres per hour. Through a partnership with Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH), water from the borehole has been distributed to 10 water points, benefiting 3,500 village residents as well as 1,700 learners at Mulala Girls Secondary School, and Mulala, Iviani and Uthangathini primary schools.

The Deputy Governor also commissioned Yandia Water Project, raising the total number of water projects implemented in Mulala Ward to 26 over the last four years. Mulili said the investments have significantly expanded water coverage, bringing the ward close to achieving universal access to clean and safe water.

She noted that the projects are part of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s Last Mile Water Connectivity agenda, which aims to ensure every household has reliable access to clean water, less than 2km by 2027

YANDIA WATER PROJECT BRINGS LASTING RELIEF TO 4,000 EMALI-MULALA RESIDENTS

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Thursday commissioned the Yandia Water Project in Emali/Mulala Ward, a transformative initiative implemented under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme.

The project is set to improve access to clean and safe water for more than 4,000 residents through the construction of seven water points strategically located at Kwa Soo, Kwa Mbindo, Kwa Mutie, Kanyonyoo, Kwa Mulandi, Kativani and Muselele villages.

Beyond water access, the project promotes climate-smart agriculture by supporting households with conical and vertical kitchen gardens, enabling families to enhance food production, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience to the effects of climate change.

The initiative is expected to end years of water-related conflicts caused by scarce water sources while advancing Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s Last Mile Water Connectivity agenda, which seeks to ensure every household has access to reliable and safe water.