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MULILI JOINS RECORDS EXPERTS AT INTERNATIONAL ARCHIVES SYMPOSIUM

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Saturday participated in the Family Search International Archives Symposium held at the HYATT Regency Hotel in Nairobi. The event brought together professionals and leaders in records preservation and archiving from across the continent.

The symposium focused on addressing common challenges faced by African record custodians and archivists, while also providing a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Hosted by Elder Kelvin Hamilton, Executive Director at Family Search International, the symposium emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage under the theme “Connecting the Past to the Future.”

Family Search International is a globally recognized leader in genealogy and records preservation, committed to helping millions around the world discover their heritage and connect with their families.

MAKUENI COUNTY INTENSIFIES GBV FIGHT WITH 2-DAY COMMUNITY SENSITISATION IN ILIMA WARD

Makueni’s Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services has stepped up campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) aimed at eliminating gender inequalities and building safer communities.

On Friday, the department concluded a two-day sensitisation forum which brought together key stakeholders, community leaders, and anti-GBV champions as part of Makueni County’s broader strategy to strengthen GBV prevention, response, and coordination.

The forum was graced by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, CECM for Gender Sebastian Kyoni, MCA Bishop Jonathan Muthoka, and other officials. In her remarks, the Deputy Governor called on the community to take collective responsibility in ending GBV, while CECM Kyoni emphasized the need to shift mindsets and support survivors.

The forum focused on promoting cultural values of non-violence, respect, and solidarity. Key interventions included training anti-GBV champions, holding sensitisation forums, engaging men and youth, and offering legal and psychosocial support to survivors.

Participants took part in discussions, role plays, and survivor testimonies, enhancing community understanding of GBV issues.

SENATE ENERGY COMMITTEE ESCALATES PUSH FOR KPC COMPENSATION OF THANGE OIL SPILL VICTIMS

Thange: May 02, 2025

The Senate Energy Committee, led by Chairperson Oburu Oginga, held a public hearing in Thange Ward on Friday to assess the long-term impacts of a 2015 Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) oil spill at Thange river basin.

The visit follows persistent demands by residents, through MCA Eric Katumo, for fair compensation over lost livelihoods and health risks linked to petroleum-contaminated water and crops.

A taskfroce appointed by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. to assess the long-term Health, Environment and Social Impact of the spill has confirmed alarming levels of cancer-causing benzene in soil and water samples from the affected area—10 years after the spill.

The Senate Committee has vowed to push KPC to conduct comprehensive health and Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and ensure adequate compensation for victims.

The fact-finding forum, hosted by Governor Mutula, included key stakeholders such as: NEMA, Ministry of Health, KPC officials, Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo, and area MCAs.

Residents expressed frustration over delayed justice, citing failed promises and prolonged exposure to pollution. The Committee assured urgent action, emphasizing corporate accountability and community restitution.

MAKUENI AMONG FOUR COUNTIES SELECTED FOR PILOT OF HOMEGROWN SCHOOL FEEDING RESEARCH PROJECT

Makueni County has been selected among four counties to pilot a new, three-year research initiative — the STEP (Sustainable, Inclusive, and Equitable Procurement in Home Grown School Feeding Programmes) Project — launched today at the Argyle Grand Hotel in Nairobi. The project, led by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in collaboration with partners like Tanager and Tegemeo Institute, aims at reimagining how school meals are sourced and delivered in Kenya.

The STEP initiative is designed not only to feed learners with nutritious, homegrown food, but also to build a sustainable and inclusive procurement model that can support local economies. Besides Makueni, the other counties selected for the pilot are Nairobi, Embu, and Isiolo.

In her remarks, Makueni CECM for ICT, Education, and Internship, Elizabeth Muli, welcomed the opportunity, saying the County is fully committed to tackling child malnutrition and food insecurity through innovative and evidence-based approaches. “We look forward to learning and co-creating a system that uplifts both the nutritional status of our children and the economic resilience of our farmers,” she said.

The first six months of the STEP project will focus on applied research—conducting context analysis, assessing current school feeding procurement systems, and understanding policy gaps. Based on the findings, a model procurement system for sourcing food locally will be designed. This working model will then be piloted in two selected sites—either a single school or a cluster of schools—within each participating county.

The pilot phase will provide vital lessons on best practices, challenges, and scalability. These insights will be used to refine and package a scalable model that could eventually be rolled out nationally, helping Kenya meet its goal of universal school meal coverage for 10 million learners by 2030.

The project also emphasizes gender inclusivity, agro-ecological practices, and stronger value chains—aiming to improve farmer incomes, support smallholder producer groups, and foster gender-equitable procurement systems.

With Makueni’s prior investment in ECDE nutrition and its vulnerability to food insecurity, the county is strategically positioned to pioneer this groundbreaking model. Through STEP, school meals may soon become more than nourishment—they could become an engine for local development and systemic transformation.

Officials from Makueni County present at the launch included CECM for Health Paul Musila, Chief Officer for ICT, Education and Internship Irene Makau, Chief Officer for Livestock Dr. Victoria Kyalo, and Director, Department of ICT, Education and Internship Damaris Makau, among other County officials.

GOVERNMENT TO FAST-TRACK WILDLIFE COMPENSATION, SAYS CS MURKOMEN

The national government is set to implement swift compensation measures for individuals affected by human-wildlife conflict, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced.

Speaking during the Jukwaa la Usalama tour of the Lower Eastern Region, CS Murkomen assured residents that those injured or killed by wildlife, as well as those whose property is destroyed, will soon receive faster compensation.

The announcement came in response to growing public concern and appeals from local administrators who attended the forum.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr echoed the call, urging the national government to provide additional support to wildlife officers in the county.

He lauded the officers for their exemplary work in resolving conflicts and maintaining peace in wildlife-prone areas.

Governor Mutula also raised alarm over rising cases of vandalism targeting both county and national development projects.

He singled out Kilome Sub-county as the most affected, revealing that the county had suffered losses amounting to Ksh 55 million due to destruction of public assets.

In response, CS Murkomen pledged tough action against those found culpable, warning that the government would not tolerate criminal sabotage of development initiatives.

To enhance efficiency in crime reporting and response, the CS also announced plans to digitize police Occurrence Books (OBs), allowing citizens to report crimes remotely from any location.

HOPE FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN AS MAKUENI FINALIZES PLANS FOR RESCUE CENTRE LAUNCH

Makueni’s Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, has completed the validation of key guidelines for the operationalization of the Makueni County Child Rescue Centre.

The centre, one of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s flagship social protection projects, aims to provide care and support to child victims and survivors of violence and abuse, as well as children living on or off the streets.

County Executive Committee Member Sebastian Kyoni, who presided over the validation exercise in Wote on Thursday, emphasized the county government’s commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of vulnerable children.

The validation of the guidelines—which outline intake procedures, rehabilitation, reintegration, and follow-up processes for children at the rescue centre—paves the way for the gazettement of the facility as an official Child Rescue Centre and its subsequent commissioning.

BOOST FOR CHILD HEALTH

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili and Health Services CECM Dr. Paul Musila on Thursday flagged off a consignment of nutrition supplies at the Makueni County Referral Hospital.

The four-month supply, donated by Helen Keller International, will be distributed across 121 health facilities in the county that manage cases of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) among children.

Currently, the County is caring for 950 children under the age of five diagnosed with Moderate Acute Malnutrition, a condition that, if left untreated, can have long-lasting effects on a child’s growth and development.

Speaking during the flag-off, Mulili emphasized the importance of the intervention, noting that the nutrition commodities will go a long way in restoring the health and vitality of affected children.

Dr. Musila lauded the partnership with Helen Keller International, stressing the county’s commitment to ensuring every child has a chance to thrive.

MAKUENI AND KCB SET STAGE FOR TRANSFORMATIVE PARTNERSHIP

In a bold and visionary move, the County Government of Makueni has held an inception meeting with Kenya Commercial Bank Foundation(KCBF), setting the groundwork for a transformative partnership under the 2JIAJIRI program. This upcoming initiative aims to equip thousands of young people with technical skills, entrepreneurial training, and access to affordable credit — turning them from job seekers into job creators. With KCB’s Foundation financial strength and Makueni’s grassroots reach, the county is poised to become a model for youth-led economic empowerment.

The program will focus on high-impact sectors like carpentry, masonry, and beauty among others while also providing financial literacy and startup support to help youth build viable businesses. Once launched, 2JIAJIRI promises to light the path to self-reliance and prosperity for Makueni’s next generation.

The meeting was led by CECM for ICT, Education, and Internship Elizabeth Muli, CECM for Gender, Children, Sports and Social Services Sebastian Kyoni, Chief Officer Irene Makau,and CO Nicholis Mutua, among other county officials — marking the beginning of a promising journey toward sustainable youth empowerment.

MAKUENI HOSTS 26 COUNTIES FOR PEER LEARNING ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES

Makueni County is hosting Chief Officers in charge of Devolution and Citizen Engagement from 26 counties across Kenya, along with their directors, for a peer-to-peer learning forum on the establishment and operationalization of Project Management Committees (PMCs).

Speaking during the event, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili emphasized the power of community involvement in development planning adding that across the county , residents are actively involved in deciding how development funds will be utilized during the financial year.

Mulili further explained that at the close of each financial year, communities evaluate the outcomes, demand accountability, and make new proposals for the following cycle.

PMCs, she said, oversee the implementation of projects in line with the Bills of Quantities and also sign off on minutes that authorize contractor payments.

Counties represented in the forum include Nairobi, Mombasa, Homa Bay, Kirinyaga, among others.

The Deputy Governor was flanked by Nicholas Nzioka, CECM for Devolution, and other senior county officials during the forum.

MAKUENI REGISTERS MOST SUCCESSFUL KYISA OUTING IN HOMA BAY

Makueni County recorded her most successful performance yet at the 10th edition of the Kenya Youth Inter-county Sports Association (KYISA) Games, held in Homa Bay from April 13th to 19th , 2025.

The county’s women’s football team successfully defended their title for the third consecutive year, defeating Kajiado 5-4 on penalties in a thrilling final. The squad maintained an unbeaten record throughout the tournament.

Makueni also claimed victory in men’s basketball, overpowering hosts Homa Bay 78-52 in the finals. Overall, the county reached five finals—in men’s and women’s football, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s volleyball—showcasing its emergence as sporting giant in the country.

Makueni Sports Executive Committee Member Sebastian Kyoni attributed the outstanding performance to Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s grassroots sports initiatives, particularly the ward-based Ligi Mashinani program and the MKJ Supa Cup tournament, which have nurtured emerging talent and elevated the county’s competitive edge.